Columbia Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Arson for Burning St. John’s Chapel in Caldwell Parish

MONROE - On August 31, 2026, Anthony Dillon, Jr., 19, of Columbia, Louisiana, pled guilty in federal court to committing arson in connection with the malicious burning of St. John Chapel in the early morning of March 27, 2026, right as Holy Week was set to begin. Dillon faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in federal prison.

"Today's guilty plea represents another step toward our Office seeking justice for the wanton and brazen burning of St. John Chapel, the sole Catholic church in Caldwell Parish," said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "This case reflects our Office's commitment to working alongside our federal and state law enforcement partners to protect and serve our rural communities, and we look forward to seeing this matter to its conclusion."

According to court documents, Dillon and an accomplice entered St. John Chapel intending to steal electronic equipment, including multiple television sets. After stealing several televisions from inside the church, the two ignited a fire in the administrative area of the building, using a fire accelerant within a wooden filing cabinet. A fire-accelerant canine unit alerted at the point of origin, and forensic testing confirmed the presence of an accelerant there. The fire caused extensive damage to the church's sanctuary.

In the wake of the arson, parishioners have continued worship by holding weekly Masses at a local clinic. The community also established a restoration fund to help rebuild their church.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal, the Caldwell Parish Sheriff's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by United States Attorney Zachary A. Keller with assistance from Special Assistant U.S. Attorney S. Charlotte Farshian and Paralegal Specialist Joanne Henry-Mills.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Number 3:26-CR-00159-01.

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