A Paw Paw man was sentenced to five years in federal prison for intentionally setting a fire to the Kalamazoo Planned Parenthood facility in July 2022.
Joshua Brereton, 25, was sentenced to a mandatory minimum 60 months in prison for arson, followed by two years’ supervised release during his sentencing in U.S. District Court in Kalamazoo Monday.
The father of two waved at his children and family members during the sentencing.
Brereton had a plan and engaged in a concentrated effort to commit the arson, according to U.S. District Court Judge Paul Maloney.
Brereton bought citronella torch fuel, a starter log, and a utility lighter at the Walmart in Paw Paw about an hour before the fires started at Planned Parenthood, according to federal investigations.
Brereton said he wanted to protect people but didn’t go about it the right way.
“I love God, family, my country and didn't mean to cause a headache.” Brereton said.
He pled guilty to one court of arson Oct. 12, in exchange prosecutors dismissed one count of damaging property providing reproductive health services, according to court records.
U.S. District Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten called the act a type of "political violence," where individuals resort to violence to try and handle disputes with issues of law and policy.
"While we as Americans may strongly disagree about issues of law and policy, violence is never ever an acceptable way to settle our disputes, and today his sentence sends a strong message," Totten told reporters following Monday's sentencing.
Judge Maloney said the need for deterrence in cases like this should make others realize the substantial punishment upon conviction.
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The fire erupted outside of the healthcare clinic July 31, damaging the building, according to Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.
Brereton's actions put lives in danger, including more than two dozen patients and workers inside the Planned Parenthood facility at the time.
The arson left workers and patients with traumatic impacts to this day, Planned Parenthood of Michigan director of safety, security, and facilities director Michelle Ferrera said Monday.
Mary Snos, Breteton's former church teacher at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Paw Paw never imagined Brereton would have committed arson in like this, she said.
“He helped everyone, he was kind and good. If anyone needs something, Joshua was there for them,” Snos said.
Maloney also ordered Brereton to pay $32,699.45 in restitution for the damage he caused.