United States Eighth Circuit

Convictions for intentionally obstructing the free exercise of religious beliefs by threat of force and for using a phone to threaten to injure members or damage or destroy synagogue property are affirmed. The Church Arson Prevention Act is constitutional, as it has a secular purpose, neither advances nor inhibits religion in its primary effect, and does not foster an excessive entanglement with religion.

Appellate Information

• Decided 04/05/2004
• Published 04/05/2004

Judges

• HOVLAND, District Judge., Before RILEY and RICHARD S. ARNOLD, Circuit Judges, and HOVLAND District Court Judge.

Court

• United States Eighth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Virginia Guadalupe Villa, argued, Federal Public Defender, Minneapolis, MN, for appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Linda Thome, argued, D.O.J., Washington, D.C., for appellee.