New Mexico man sentenced to prison after setting fire to Inland Empire church, preschool

A New Mexico man was sentenced to more than four years in federal prison for setting fire to a San Bernardino County church and preschool in 2024, while children and employees were inside. 

The man, 37-year-old Albuquerque resident Jonathan A. Barajas Nava, was sentenced on Monday to 51 months and more than $7,000 restitution after he pleaded guilty to one count of damage to a religious property. 

His sentencing comes after he set fire to the Retreat Church and Yucaipa Christian Preschool in Yucaipa on April 24, 2024. 

"Before setting the church on fire, Nava traveled to a nearby gasoline station and purchased a gasoline can and filled it with gasoline," prosecutors said in a statement. "He then traveled to the church with the can and poured the liquid on the church's front door. Then, he used an open-flame device to set the area on fire."

The flames damaged the interior carpet, doorframe seal and outdoor mat of the church, but all staff and students were able to successfully evacuate without injury. 

After the initial incident, prosecutors say that Nava drove to a nearby strip mall, where he set fire to another building. This blaze resulted in no damage. 

Nava was arrested later that same day. He said that he set fire to the church "because of its religious character," said the statement from the U.S. Department of Justice.