A Paw Paw man is facing federal charges for setting fire to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Kalamazoo. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten says 25-year-old Joshua Brereton is charged with arson and faces up to 20 years in prison. On July 31, police received a report of a fire at the Planned Parenthood facility. It was put out, and subsequent investigation included a review of surveillance footage. It showed a man, now identified as Brereton, breaching a fence and setting fire to the bushes outside the building and then lighting a fireplace starter log and throwing it on to the roof. He then ran. The U.S. Attorney says the complaint alleges that about an hour before setting the fire, Brereton bought citronella torch fuel, a Duraflame starter log, and a utility lighter from a Walmart in Paw Paw. Authorities also say prior to the fire, Brereton posted a YouTube video calling abortion genocide and encouraging others to “step out of your comfort zone” to help in the fight. There were no injuries in the fire, and the building suffered minor damage.
