Somersworth man charged with anti-LGBTQ message at Dover church

DOVER — A Somersworth man is charged with allegedly posting an anti-LGBTQ message on the front door of First Parish Church at 218 Central Ave.

Isaac Santiago, 49, was charged with criminal threats, a class A misdemeanor, according to Dover Police Chief William Breault.

According to police and Rev. Dana Mann, the sign was discovered on the morning of June 20. It contained anti-LGBTQ messages and read: “Be saved today or perish in your sins!”

Santiago faces “an extended prison sentence under the state’s hate crimes statute,” police said in a news release, “specifically alleging that this crime was substantially motivated by the victim’s religion, creed or sexual orientation.”

Dover investigators executed a search warrant at Santiago’s home and later obtained a warrant for his arrest, police said. Santiago turned himself in Tuesday and was released on bail. He is scheduled to be arraigned at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 12 in 7th Circuit Court in Dover.

It was not immediately clear whether Santiago has a lawyer.

Dover police are asking anyone with information to call the department at 603-742-4646. Information can also be reported anonymously to the Dover Crimeline at 603-749-6000 or via dovernhcrimeline.org.

The church has celebrated same-sex marriages for many years. Mann had previously called the incident “an opportunity to open the door to open dialogue” and “to say that everyone is welcome.”

This story may be updated.