In November he granted an interview to a local TV channel in which he said: “It is my honor, it is written, it is a judgement and it is written to execute vengeance on the heathen and punishments upon the people. He said that he tore the flag down from the United Church of Christ in Ames and burned it because he opposes homosexuality. Martinez was arrested in June and convicted in November. Adolfo Martinez, 30, of Ames, Iowa, was sentenced to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, as well as 1 year for the reckless use of explosives or fire, and 30 days for harassment.
