An ex-convict who hates Catholics has admitted to committing a hate crime against religion when he torched a Spring Valley Catholic church.
A prison term of 40 years to life is the maximum sentence for Eugene William Volk, 45, of Spring Valley, who will be sentenced July 17 by El Cajon Superior Court Judge Laura Halgren.
Volk admitted to setting three fires in the Santa Sophia Catholic Church Oct. 8, 2013, and acknowledged he was out on bond on a criminal threat case when he broke into the church. He also pleaded guilty to making a criminal threat to his former employer who testified he had shared his Catholic faith to Volk.
Deputy District Attorney Andy Aguilar said the sentence is long because it includes penalties for having prior convictions for burglary and vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of PCP in a 1991 crash that killed a 14-year-old boy.
The judge indicated she might sentence Volk to 27 years in prison. Another judge could sentence Volk to two years and eight months consecutively for the criminal threat case.
Volk cursed his ex-employer and made a number of anti-Catholic statements to sheriff’s deputies and others that led to the hate crime charge. The fire caused $500,000 in damages.
A sheriff’s detective testified Volk’s fingerprints were found on church windows and also on a candleholder that did not burn up. Three 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 and it was installed before Easter services. The ceiling had soot damage and there was much repair. The church also installed security cameras in February and is still accepting donations for the restoration expenses.
Volk had no contact with the church though he lived nearby. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison for the vehicular manslaughter case in 1992. He remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility without bail.
