Steven James Perkinson, a 21-year-old from Plainfield, Indiana, was sentenced to 10 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to damaging religious property and making a false statement to a U.S. agency.
Court documents show that on November 18, 2024, Perkinson vandalized the sign outside Maple Grove Baptist Church in Plainfield. He spray-painted a pitchfork and the numbers “666” on the display and covered the cross symbol with an “X.”
When first questioned by FBI agents, Perkinson denied involvement. However, after investigators searched his cell phone under a warrant, he admitted to targeting the church sign because it belonged to a Christian congregation. He told agents he was motivated by participation in Satanic groups.
A forensic review of his phone showed he had researched local churches extensively. His searches included “Maple Grove Baptist Church Plainfield,” “Churches near me,” “Plainfield Bible Church photos,” as well as terms related to occult organizations like “Noctulian Blood Covenant” and “Nexion 435.”
Perkinson did not have any prior criminal record but drew attention from the FBI in 2023 after posting on Instagram: “Now I just sit alone in my room for hours a day… Schools are meant for shooting up not learning…” Additional evidence found on his phone raised further concern about violent thoughts. Agents discovered searches for addresses of major Jewish congregations in America, online messages claiming access to firearms and encouraging mass violence, photographs showing him posing with dead animals, and proof that he had 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. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Chief Judge James R. Sweeney II.
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.
