LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to damaging religious property back in January.

Marley Taylor, 27, took an axe to a statue of Mary holding baby Jesus at a Catholic church and chopped off their heads on Jan. 28 and Jan. 29, according to court documents. The Hopkinsville native admitted he did it because he believed people prayed to the statue as an act of worship.

“The violent destruction of religious property due to hatred for another’s faith is both intolerable and un-American,” Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon said. “The Department of Justice stands firmly against anti-Christian bias and will hold accountable anyone who targets Americans because of their religious beliefs.”

Documents showed the statue had been hand carved from marbl

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