Deputies from the Cache County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fire at 2:30 Monday morning. The fire was in the kitchen area of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints meeting house in the town of Young Ward, located between Wellsville and Logan.
Fire crews removed the stove where the fire began, containing the flames to the kitchen area, preventing further damage.
“Cases like this in our valley don’t happen very often," said Cache County Sheriff Chad Jensen. "This is probably only the second or third arson case we’ve had in the last couple of years.”
Jensen said the suspect, 18 year old Antonio Justin Rosa of Logan, reported the fire to 911 dispatchers. He was found in the church by a deputy sheriff. Rosa broke through a window to gain access into the building. When officers arrived he admitted to starting the fires.
He said Rosa has been living with a Logan family.
“He was upset that the family made him go to church," Jensen said. "And that’s why the incident happened.”
Rosa has been charged with one count of aggravated arson, a first degree felony, and one count of burglary, a third degree felony.
Rosa will be arraigned Wednesday in the 1st District Court. Jensen said the County Attorney’s office will determine whether or not the incident will be considered a hate crime.