Man pleads guilty in Byron church arson, faces up to 20 years

Prosecutors say the defendant set multiple fires inside the church and took money before leaving.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A South Carolina man has pleaded guilty to setting fire to a church in Byron and now faces up to 20 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Prosecutors say 34-year-old Luke Andrew Westefeld of North Augusta pleaded guilty Monday to one count of malicious use of fire in connection with the 2024 fire at Byron United Methodist Church.

According to court documents, Westefeld approached church members in the parking lot on West Heritage Boulevard the night of August 20, 2024, asking for water before later breaking into the church.

Investigators say Westefeld became upset inside the sanctuary and set items on fire before moving into the church office, where he found cash and checks and took money for himself. They say he then set the office on fire.

According to court documents, Westefeld later tried to use gasoline from a church van as an accelerant but was unable to access it. He instead set fire to a shirt placed in the vehicle’s gas cap area.

Westefeld faces a minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison, along with a possible $250,000 fine. A sentencing date has not yet been set.