NEVADA, Iowa – An Iowa man has been sentenced to 15 years after burning an LGBTQ pride flag, according to NBCNews.

30-year-old Adolfo Martinez, of Ames, was convicted by a jury in November and received an earlier arrest in June. Martinez being a “habitual offender” and the fact that hate crimes charges carry enhanced penalties called for his lengthy sentence.

Martinez says that he tore down the flag that was hanging from the United Church of Christ and burned it because he opposes homosexuality. On Wednesday he was sentenced to 15 years for the hate crime of arson, a year for reckless use of explosives and 30 days for harassment.