An ex-convict, who apparently hates Catholics so much that he allegedly torched a Spring Valley Catholic church, has been charged with arson and committing a hate crime against religion.
When Eugene William Volk, 45, was told by a sheriff’s detective that his fingerprints were found at the scene, Volk’s response was “F—- the church and f—- you!” according to testimony.
Volk was also ordered to stand trial for vandalism of the Santa Sophia Catholic Church in Spring Valley Oct. 8. He pleaded not guilty at the end of the preliminary hearing in El Cajon Superior Court Dec. 18 and remains in jail on $500,000 bail.
His attorney, Ivan Schwartz, asked Judge Evan Kirvin to set a trial date May 5, saying he did not want this trial to occur “too close to Easter.” Witnesses quoted Volk as repeatedly cursing the Catholic faith and Catholics in general.
The estimated damage to the church was set at $500,000. Father Jacob Bertrand testified he never met Volk and there was no record of Volk receiving any assistance from the church. Volk lived nearby and was seen walking his pit bull near the church after the fire.
Volk’s fingerprints were on file because he was sentenced to nine years in prison in 1991 in the traffic death of a 14-year-old boy. Volk pleaded guilty to gross vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of PCP.
In April, Volk was charged with making a criminal threat to his employer when he was laid off as a contractor at a boat yard. His former employer, Troy Trombly, is Catholic and testified he once shared his faith with Volk sometime before he was terminated.
“He said ‘You f——— Catholics, you hide behind God,” Trombly quoted Volk as saying.
Volk’s palm print was found on an outside window and his fingerprints were found on a red candle glass holder. The candle was set on a pew and lit, but it burned horizontally and went out, preserving the fingerprints, said Sheriff’s Detective Anthony Calvert.
“Some thought was used to start these fires,” said Calvert, adding it was “not a random fire in a church” and no electrical problems were found.
Calvert testified a fire was set near a statue of Mary and a second fire was set on a large altar with a stack of church bulletins that were lit. The third fire was set on kneeling cushions that were moved to the base of a large wooden crucifix, said Calvert.
The detective said he learned Volk smoked methamphetamine the day of the fire. He was in possession of marijuana when sheriff’s deputies arrested him on Campo Road Oct. 11.
Volk’s attorney unsuccessfully argued to dismiss the hate crime, which can add three years to a sentence for arson. Deputy District Attorney Andrew Aguilar said Volk faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted plus 15 years if he is convicted of the other criminal threat case because of the three strikes law.
Volk allegedly broke into the church by rolling a heavy cement ash tray through a window.
He has pleaded not guilty.
