Steven James Perkinson, a 21-year-old resident of Plainfield, Indiana, has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to intentional damage to religious property and making a false statement to a U.S. agency.
Court documents state that on November 18, 2024, Perkinson vandalized the sign at Maple Grove Baptist Church in Plainfield. He spray-painted a pitchfork and the numbers “666” on the display and painted an “X” over the cross symbol.
When first questioned by FBI agents, Perkinson denied involvement. However, after agents searched his cell phone with a warrant, he admitted that he targeted the church sign because it belonged to a Christian church. He also stated that his actions were motivated by participation in various Satanic groups.
A forensic review of Perkinson’s phone showed searches for local churches and terms linked to occult organizations. Investigators found queries such as “Maple Grove Baptist Church Plainfield,” “Churches near me,” “Plainfield Bible Church photos,” as well as searches related to groups like “Noctulian Blood Covenant” and “Nexion 435.”
Perkinson did not have any prior criminal record but had drawn attention from the FBI in 2023 due to an Instagram post stating: “Now I just sit alone in my room for hours a day… Schools are meant for shooting up not learning…” Further evidence from his phone included searches for the address of major Jewish churches in America, online messages about access to firearms and mass violence encouragements, photos posing with dead animals, and proof he set fire to a dumpster.
“Targeting any house of worship because of its faith is an attack on the fundamental freedoms that define our nation. This defendant’s conduct, paired with his disturbing online activity, posed a real threat to those liberties,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “This sentence makes clear that hate‑fueled vandalism and threats of violence will be met with swift and serious federal consequences.”
“Places of worship are meant to be spaces of peace, reflection, and community – not targets of intimidation or hate,” said FBI Indianapolis Special Agent in Charge Timothy J. O’Malley. “Everyone deserves to feel safe practicing their faith without fear. The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate hate-based crimes and work alongside our partners to ensure those who target religious communities are identified and held accountable.”
The case was investigated by the FBI. U.S. District Court Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II imposed the sentence.
U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter A. Blackett and Carolyn Haney as well as Trial Attorney Briana Clark from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section for prosecuting this case.
