Utah Teen Arrested For Setting Fire To 2 Churches, Writes “Satan Lives” Graffiti

Jillian Robinson, 18, who allegedly torched the Mormon buildings and caused $600K damage, blames her “crazy life at home.”

April 03, 2019
Mug shot of Jillian Robinson [Utah County Jail]

Photo by: Mug shot of Jillian Robinson [Utah County Jail]

Mug shot of Jillian Robinson [Utah County Jail]

By: Mike McPadden

OREM, UT — A Utah woman is under arrest for setting fire to two buildings owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The suspect also reportedly wrote graffiti at both locations, declaring, “Satan Lives.” The damages are estimated to be in the range of $600,000.

Jillian Robinson, 18, has been arrested for arson, burglary, criminal mischief, and possession of burglary tools. She is being held at the Utah County Jail on a $20,000 bond.

According to court documents, police responded to reports of a fire at an LDS church at around 2 A.M. last Friday. The officers noticed a broken glass door leading into the chapel, and saw several small blazes in the facility, which they put out with a fire extinguisher.

The arrest affidavit also notes that someone had scrawled “Satan Lives” with a black marker on the chapel wall.

While checking other LDS buildings in the area as a precaution, officers discovered a woman on the sidewalk outside a Mormon meeting house, where, above the doorjamb, someone had again written, “Satan Lives.” The police said it appeared that a fire had been attempted at the second site as well.

The police stated that the woman was holding a backpack containing a water bottle filled with gasoline, a power drill, a lighter, matches, and a black Sharpie marker. After running her license plate, officers identified the woman as Jillian Robinson.

Initially, Robinson denied any involvement with the fires. Later, however, she wrote in a voluntary witness statement: “I acted alone in the fire that was started at the church on 1200 North. I was angry and all wanted to do was set a small fire and it got out of control. I fled the scene and didn't look back. I felt like playing with fire because of my crazy life at home, this was not a hate crime.”

Orem Police Lieutenant Craig Martinez, who arrested Robinson, told the press, “It's obvious she doesn’t agree with maybe some of the things with the LDS Church and that’s maybe why she picked that. She’s only been 18 for about six months now, so super young. Not a good start.”

Next Up

‘Fight, Fight, Fight’: 2 Teenagers Escape Armed Kidnapper Thanks To Survival Skill Training

One girl, 14, said she ‘finally won’ after battling the man who was holding her and a friend captive.

New True Crime Special 'Michelle Carter: Love, Texts & Death' Explores How Texts Can Have Dire Consequences

The two-hour special streams on discovery+ and premieres on ID Tuesday, September 7 at 9/8c.

Paris Hilton Says She Was Given Nonconsensual 'Cervical Exams' At Utah Boarding School

In an interview with the New York Times, the 41-year-old detailed the abuse she faced at Provo Canyon School in 1997.

The Hate-Fueled Murder Of 12-Year-Old Shanda Sharer

The 1992 murder of 12-year-old Shanda Sharer left the town of Madison, Indiana in shock.

Amber Alert Canceled After Abducted 13-Year-Old Girl Escapes Kidnapper

A 13-year-old girl was kidnapped from her home in Reading, Pennsylvania on Aug. 31, 2022. Later that day, the girl was found over a hundred miles away.

Texas Cheerleaders Shot After Mistakenly Getting In The Wrong Car

Payton Washington and Heather Roth were shot on April 18 after one of the girls accidentally got in the wrong car in a shopping center parking lot.

Teen Lashaya Stine Is Missing; Her Mom Fears Sex Trafficking

“She needs to try and get away from whatever it is. If she can get to me, I will protect her. I will do anything to protect her,” her mother, Sabrina Jones, emphasizes.

What To Know About The Allegations Against SNL Alum Horatio Sanz

A “look-back window,” part of a new rule in New York City law, allows the alleged victim to bring this civil case against Sanz and NBC Universal in March 2023.

Colorado Teen Shot And Killed While Filming A TikTok Video

On Aug. 7, 2022, Aaliyah Annalyse Ranee Sanchez, 14, was fatally shot while recording a TikTok video with two other girls.

'In Pursuit With John Walsh' Season 3 Premiere Recap

John Walsh and his son Callahan are getting back to finding fugitives and getting justice for victims. Do you have information about any of these three cases?