A man has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for setting fire to a church LGBTQ flag, after a jury found him guilty on several charges.

Adolfo Martinez from Iowa was convicted in Ames last month on hate crime charges — a class “D” felony in the state — as well as third-degree harassment and reckless use of fire.

The incident took place early on 11 June, when police say Martinez approached the United Church of Christ in Ames, and then burned it outside of the Dangerous Curves Gentleman’s Club, a strip club.

Martinez, police say, later admitted to police that he took the flag and burned it. He used lighter fluid, he said, and a common lighter.

The hate crime charges were added by Story County attorney Jessica Reynolds who said the crime was carried out against the property because of “what it represents as far as sexual orientation.”

Top 25 LGBT moments in pop culture since Stonewall Show all 25 1 /25 Top 25 LGBT moments in pop culture since Stonewall Top 25 LGBT moments in pop culture since Stonewall 25. Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy (1984) A song about a young gay man leaving home, accompanied by a video which shows desire, persecution, rejection and ultimate freedom, Jimmy Somerville’s anthem epitomised the experience of generations of gay men. Youtube Top 25 LGBT moments in pop culture since Stonewall 24. Dana International wins Eurovision (1998) Singer Dana International provided another big moment of visibility for transgender people when she won the competition for Israel with her song “Diva”. Getty Top 25 LGBT moments in pop culture since Stonewall 23. Angels in America (1991) Tony Kushner’s epic two-part play tackled the Aids crisis in the context of contemporary America and its many ghosts. A profound piece of theatre. 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He was convicted of the crimes in November.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for the hate crime of arson, and another year for the reckless use of explosives of fire. He also received a 30 day sentence for harassment.

Ms Reynolds told USA Today that Martinez is the first person to be convicted of a hate crime in the county.