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Rebel News has uncovered disturbing new details in the case of Gilles Mallet, the 68-year-old man charged with arson in the destruction of Saint-Simon church on New Brunswick's Acadian Peninsula on August 24th. The historic 108-year-old wooden church — built by the great-grandparents of the people who still live in the community — was reduced to rubble in a matter of hours. Mallet has not entered a plea and is entitled to the presumption of innocence.

We spoke with multiple sources, including Mallet's own sister, and uncovered what appears to be a years-long pattern of radicalization. Mallet lived for an extended period in an Indigenous community near Lillooet, B.C., where sources allege he was exposed to extremist anti-Christian rhetoric, participated in ceremonies described as involving hatred toward the Church, and may have consumed ceremonial drugs during travels to Mexico and Peru. His sister told Rebel News that marijuana had contributed to previous psychotic breakdowns and that she had intervened on five separate occasions.

Among Mallet's reported associates from that community was Stacy Gallagher — a B.C. pipeline protester previously jailed for obstructing the Trans Mountain pipeline. Mallet had publicly honoured Gallagher on social media. According to Rebel News' sources, Gallagher was present in Saint-Simon shortly before the fire — and in video footage, Mallet can apparently be heard saying "Stacy Gallagher, your wish comes true" as the church burned.

Rebel News is calling on authorities to investigate the B.C. community, the individuals named, and the potential terrorism-related dimensions of this case. Watch all our coverage and support our investigation at SaveOurChurches.ca.