Police have arrested a transgender and gay rights activist for allegedly burning down his own home to make it look like a hate crime.
Nikki Joly, who organized a number of pro-LGBTQ events and initiatives is accused of intentionally setting fire to his own house in 2017.
Five pets died in the blaze and the FBI initially investigated the incident as a hate crime.
However a new police report suggests that Joly was simply looking for further publicity to advance his cause.
Joly was a celebrated figure in the local LGBTQ community for helping to build a gay community center, organizing a gay pride parade and helping to push through legislation at a local level forbidding companies from discrimination based on sexual orientation.
It's embarrassing? How do you do it to the community you have put so much effort into helping?' Travis Trombley, who is homosexual, asked The News.
According to a police report, two members of the St. John's United Church of Christ where the gay community center is located believed Joly was anxious to generate more news about LGBTQ rights.
Joly had allegedly become visibly disappointed when the 2017 Jackson Pride Parade and Festival had not generated more publicity, good or bad.
According to Metro News, investigator Aaron Grove, who interrogated Shelton and James, said the pair described Joly as 'very deceptive' and possessing 'layers of manipulation.'
Joly had just got married before the fire and the pair received $58,000 in fundraising from supporters.
He took to Facebook two days after telling supporters: 'Yes, be angry, be very angry.'
'Use that anger to force good! Use that anger to make change.'
But police were already turning their attentions to Joly after discovering he had bought $10 of gas at a local Marathon store on the morning of the fire.
Continue at link
Gay rights leader 'burned down home to make it look like hate crime'
Michigan authorities accuse Nikki Joly of intentionally setting fire to his home. Five pets died and the FBI investigated the incident as a hate crime. Police say Joly was looking to further his cause
