A Louisiana man pleaded guilty Monday to setting three black churches on fire in an effort to gain notoriety as a Black Metal musician. Similar arsons that were committed by bands in Norway in the 1990s.

Federal prosecutors said Holden Matthews, 22, the son of a state deputy, admitted in court he set fire to the Baptist churches in St. Landry Parish between March and April of last year.

The specific churches targeted were the St. Mary Baptist Church in Port Barre on March 26, Greater Union Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 2 and Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Opelousas on April 4. Matthews also admitted filming and photographing the fires, and sharing the footage on his personal Facebook page.

“His disgraceful conduct violated the civil rights of the church's parishioners and harmed their communities,” Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband said in a statement.

Using the name “Noctis Matthews,” Matthews decried Baptist religious practices on social media, referring to its followers as “brainwashed people trying to find happiness in a religion that was forced on their ancestors just as it was on mine.” He further posted he wished African Americans would embrace pre-Christian African religious practices.

Matthews pleaded guilty to three counts of violating the Church Arson Prevention Act and one count of using fire to commit a federal felony. He faces a possible 70 years in prison. Sentencing was scheduled for May 22.

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California's highest court orders a review of the murder conviction of Scott Peterson, accused of killing his wife and unborn child, on allegations of juror misconduct. Joe Raedle/Getty Images
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