Tulsa arsonist sentenced to 60 months for hate crime targeting local donut shop

On Wednesday, an arsonist was sentenced for malicious use of explosive material, announced U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. U.S. District Judge Gregory K. Frizzell sentenced Coby Dale Green, 25, of Tulsa to 60 months imprisonment, followed by 3 years of supervised release. His sentence included a hate crime motivation enhancement.

According to court documents, Green was seen on security camera footage outside the Donut Hole donut shop in the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 2022. Green placed a flyer with anti-LGBTQ slogans on the business next door before using a baseball bat to break the glass door of the donut shop. He then lit an improvised incendiary device, commonly referred to as a “Molotov Cocktail,” and threw it into the restaurant. The incendiary device did not fully detonate but still caused fire damage to the business.

During the search of the residence, investigators found several copies of newspaper articles about the donut shop being vandalized. According to Attorney Johnson, the ATF Certified Fire Investigator stated that persons who commit arson will often keep mementos or “trophies.” During the search of the residence, investigators also found flyers similar to those left at the Donut Hole, as well as clothing and the lighter seen in the security footage.

Read more: KTUL (Tulsa, OK)