LAKE HAVASU CITY – A proposed plea agreement that aimed to resolve a church arson case in Lake Havasu City has been rejected by Mohave County Superior Court Judge Derek Carlisle. The ruling returns the case against Keith Gensamer to its starting point, with all charges reinstated.
Gensamer, 49, New Mexico, had pleaded guilty to an arson charge and expected to be placed on probation and possibly given some jail time during a Feb. 20 sentencing hearing. Judge Carlisle, however, torpedoed the deal on a legal technicality.
As he did during Gensamer’s Jan. 21 change of plea hearing, Carlisle informed attorneys that Gensamer should be convicted of arson of a structure, rather than arson of property associated with the Nov. 30, 2025 fire at the newly remodeled Smoketree Campus Calvary Baptist Church.
Gensamer poured gasoline inside the church and ignited fires that damaged an altar, an electronics room and other parts of the church. No one was injured and Deputy Mohave County Attorney Melinda Bonson said water and smoke caused most of the damage she said has been estimated at $250,000.
Senior Pastor Chad Garrison said the property sustained $500,000 in damage. He told judge Carlisle that the incident negatively impacted the church, as well as its staff and congregation.
While he provided no input regarding potential jail time, Garrison said he wanted the court to order Gensamer to undergo treatment and counseling for substance abuse. “We don’t hold animosity toward you personally, and we pray for you,” the Pastor told Gensamer.
Defense attorney Marcus Spradlin said Gensamer survived multiple tours of duty overseas resulting in severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder mental health issues that are exacerbated by impairment. He said Gensamer had been drinking before the arson and lit the fires to draw police to the scene so he could die in “suicide by cop” fashion.
“This was a cry for help,” Spradlin said.
“This is a situation I never thought I’d find myself in. I regret everything I did. This is just not me,” Gensamer said. “I’ve struggled a lot with my past. Everything I’ve done was self-destructive.”
Parties to the case agree that there was no indication that Gensamer had any issue with the church or religion in general. Attorneys are expected to draft and submit an amended proposed plea agreement for court consideration.
Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this story said “…Spradlin had been drinking before the arson…” This was meant to say Gensamer, and the article has been corrected to reflect this.
