An ex-convict who set three fires at a Spring Valley Catholic church in a hate crime against religion was sentenced Aug. 27 to 28 years and eight months in prison.
Eugene William Volk, 46, of Spring Valley, will have to serve 80 percent of the sentence before he can be paroled, said Deputy District Attorney Andrew Aguilar.
The Oct. 8, 2013, arson caused $687,000 in damages to the Santa Sophia Catholic Church at 9800 San Juan Street. The church did not request El Cajon Superior Court Judge Laura Halgren to order Volk to pay the damages.
In a letter by Father Jacob Bertrand to the judge, the priest wrote that they are praying for Volk and have forgiven him for what he has done. Bertrand added that he hopes Volk “will find time for reflection” and turn to God.
Volk’s attorney, Ivan Schwartz, said he was glad to read the priest’s letter, adding his client “really does appreciate the church’s prayers and compassion.” Schwarz said Volk has some church background and did not harbor a hatred of the Catholic faith.
Schwartz said Volk “was in a state of methamphetamine psychosis” when he committed the arson. “When the smoke cleared and with a clear head (in jail), he was appalled by his behavior,” said Schwartz.
“He knows he hurt a lot of people. He feels he’s wasted his life on methamphetamine,” said Schwartz.
“No one was making him do that,” said the judge. “He chose to use the meth.”
Schwartz asked for a 20-year term while Aguilar suggested two life terms or at least 32 years. Volk was convicted of vehicular manslaughter while driving under the influence of PCP in 1991 and killing a 14-year-old boy for which he received nine years in prison.
“He hated the Catholic Church,” said Aguilar, who described the burned areas of the church that showed his “animosity to the Catholic religion.”
Fires were set near a statue of Mary, underneath a large wooden crucifix and on a large altar. A red candle was set on a pew and lit, but it burned horizontally and went out, preserving Volk’s fingerprints on the candle glass holder.
The church had to replace its crucifix which was installed before Easter and they also installed security cameras. Volk lived nearby, though he had no contact with the church before the fire. He apologized in court for setting the fire.
Halgren gave him credits for serving 684 days and jail and a fine of $11,618. Volk pleaded guilty to committing arson of a house of worship and a hate crime against religion plus committing those crimes when he was out on bond in another case.
Volk’s former employer was Catholic and recalled sharing his faith with Volk. He testified earlier that he laid Volk off at a shipyard and Volk cursed his Catholic faith and made a criminal threat in April, 2013. Volk was arrested, but posted bond and was awaiting trial when he set fire to the church.
When a sheriff’s detective told Volk his fingerprints were found in the burned church and on a window, Volk cursed the church and him. Volk also pleaded guilty to making a criminal threat to his boss which got him 32 months consecutively in the total 28 year, eight month sentence.
