Vacaville pastor, three others charged in Molotov cocktail attack

A pastor in Vacaville has been arrested in connection with throwing a Molotov cocktail at a house where his ex-girlfriend was staying.

Mark Lewis, the 39-year-old pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Vacaville, is accused of tapping three accomplices -- Anthony Wright, 33; Kristen Broyles, 30; and Richard Wright, 28 -- to throw the Molotov cocktail that crashed through a bedroom window Thursday night.

Six people, including Lewis’ ex-girlfriend, Sarah Nottingham, and her two children were inside at the time. The fire bomb, though, didn’t break on impact and they were able to put out the fire on their own.

Still, Nottingham told Fox 40 that it could have turned out to be deadly “ and just to know that somebody could be that dangerous is scary.”

Vacaville police say Nottingham’s car window was bashed in on Christmas Day. A couple of days later, her sister-in-law’s car was hit. She has a restraining order against Lewis.

Lewis was arrested Friday and charged with arson on an inhabited dwelling, conspiracy and stalking. During a search of his home, which is on the church property, police officers discovered an illegal handgun and what they suspect is methamphetamine, according to the Reporter.

He was released after posting $500,000 bail and back in front of parishioners Sunday. He told a Fox 40 reporter that the charges are false.

“What do you want me to say? That’s the truth,” Lewis said.

His alleged accomplices were also arrested on suspicion of arson of an inhabited dwelling and possession of an incendiary device.

jason.wells@latimes.com

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