LogFAQs > #931849636

I haven't found any exact wording on the reasoning, but according to this article:
https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/iowa-man-sentenced-15-years-after-burning-church-s-lgbtq-n1105131

At the time of his November conviction, KCCI reported that the "habitual offender" charge filed against Martinez called for a lengthier penalty.

So that on top of the hate crime status lengthened the sentence.
From the same article:

Courtney Reyes, executive director of One Iowa, a statewide LGBTQ advocacy group, said while her organization appreciates the seriousness with which this biased incident was addressed, "we will continue to strive for a justice system which values restoration over punishment and helps individuals like Adolfo Martinez understand the harm that theyve caused."
"Hate crimes against the LGBTQ community are a serious matter as they inflict distinct emotional harms on their victims, and strike fear into the communities they target," Reyes told NBC News. "That said, true justice should always strive to be about rehabilitation, reconciliation, and healing communities. It is difficult to see how a 16-year prison sentence accomplishes any of those goals."

Edit: Got a bit more:

"I believe him to be very dangerous," Story County Attorney Jessica Reynolds said. "That's why my office recommended the maximum sentence."
Reynolds said the judge agreed to the 17-year sentence because Martinez has a long history of harassment and is a habitual offender and never showed any remorse.
"The defendant stated that there was nothing the judge could to stop him from continuing this behavior and that he would continue to do this no matter what," she said.

Lack of remorse is often a justification for aiming for a higher sentence as well. His attitude probably did not endear him to the judge or jury. Edit: Forgot the link for this one, sorry:
https://www.kcci.com/article/adolfo-martinez-sentenced-for-setting-fire-to-church-lgbtq-flag/30281099

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Hi