Sylacauga man pleads guilty to church arson

SYLACAUGA (AP) — A 19-year-old Sylacauga man has pleaded guilty to one count each of burglary and arson in connection with the burning of a small, 137-year-old church near the Sycamore community.

Preston Dwayne Lindenthaler is the second of two suspects to plead guilty in the break-in and burning of Rocky Mount Baptist Church over the weekend of Oct. 7, 2006. Randy Lee Jones, 18, pleaded guilty to his involvement in May.

The two were accused of breaking into the church and setting fire to the sanctuary and Sunday school annex. The Daily Home reported that both structures were a total loss.

Sentencing of Lindenthaler, who entered the plea Monday, is set for Nov. 7 before Circuit Judge Julian King. He faces two to 20 years in prison for the arson charge and one to 10 years on the burglary charge.

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