Maine man accused of setting predominantly Black church on fire

A Maine man is facing federal hate crime charges for allegedly setting a predominantly Black church on fire in Massachusetts, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. Dushko Vulchev, 44, is accused of igniting a fire at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield on December 28, 2020.

Vulchev allegedly ignited a fire at the church, causing extensive damage and destroying the property. He also allegedly slashed several tires on and around the premises of the church, prosecutors said.  Vulchev is also accused of setting two other fires at the church on December 13 and December 15 of last year. Investigators cited security videos and location data from Vulchev's mobile telephone, which they said showed Vulchev at or near the scene of the alleged crimes.