If you’re an aspiring political arsonist, no need to be fussy about the materials you use. Just go with what you have on hand.
For instance, this guy used leftover containers of olives, peanut butter (the ‘natural’ kind), eggs, and Bombay Sapphire gin. Add a little gasoline and voilà: Molotov cocktails.
He then (allegedly) used them to start fires at a Tesla dealership and the Republican Party HQ in Albuquerque.
We know this from the criminal complaint that documented the joint federal investigation that lead to his arrest.
He was caught on surveillance video (including when he looked straight at the camera and probably thought, “Doh!”). Later, his hood fell down and investigators specifically noted his balding head (which is kinda embarrassing).
They compared the images to the suspect’s drivers license photo and found his appearance consistent. At least he’s tall (another fact that lead them to believe the person in the surveillance video and the suspect were the same person).
At the scene of the two fires, investigators collected remnants of the Molotov cocktails (which is how we know his snack preferences). They also noted a blue substance mixed with the gasoline.
Other surveillance video helped them identify the old Hyundai Accent he used to make his getaway.
A search of his house followed (this past Saturday, so don’t let anyone tell you Feds don’t work weekends).
There they found evidence linking him to the crimes, including styrofoam egg cartons believed to be the blue substance mixed with the gasoline to create a sort of “napalm.”
He was charged by criminal complaint with two counts of arson affecting interstate commerce (18 U.S.C. 844(i).
You may wonder, “Why no 924(c)?” After all, federal law defines “firearm” to include a “destructive device,” like the ones used here. That would seem to support also charging him with using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (because arson is violent: https://lnkd.in/gEpcgZyH).
Well, ABQ is in the Tenth Circuit, and case law there holds that 844(i) is not a crime of violence for 924(c) (in a case similarly involving a firebombing with a Molotov, there a tattoo parlor).
Only in the world of lawyers is a bottle of gas a gun but arson isn’t a violent crime. Go figure.
But the real reason I wrote this post was to commend ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for their great joint investigation. The two agencies haven’t always gotten along on high profile cases but over the course of many years, they’ve worked to build a strong collaborative partnership. This criminal complaint is proof of the progress made. The affidavit was jointly signed by an agent from each agency. I’ve never seen that before. I love it!
I also appreciate that the press release includes a link to the complaint, and both include embedded photos. Well done all the way around.
For instance, this guy used leftover containers of olives, peanut butter (the ‘natural’ kind), eggs, and Bombay Sapphire gin. Add a little gasoline and voilà: Molotov cocktails.
He then (allegedly) used them to start fires at a Tesla dealership and the Republican Party HQ in Albuquerque.
We know this from the criminal complaint that documented the joint federal investigation that lead to his arrest.
He was caught on surveillance video (including when he looked straight at the camera and probably thought, “Doh!”). Later, his hood fell down and investigators specifically noted his balding head (which is kinda embarrassing).
They compared the images to the suspect’s drivers license photo and found his appearance consistent. At least he’s tall (another fact that lead them to believe the person in the surveillance video and the suspect were the same person).
At the scene of the two fires, investigators collected remnants of the Molotov cocktails (which is how we know his snack preferences). They also noted a blue substance mixed with the gasoline.
Other surveillance video helped them identify the old Hyundai Accent he used to make his getaway.
A search of his house followed (this past Saturday, so don’t let anyone tell you Feds don’t work weekends).
There they found evidence linking him to the crimes, including styrofoam egg cartons believed to be the blue substance mixed with the gasoline to create a sort of “napalm.”
He was charged by criminal complaint with two counts of arson affecting interstate commerce (18 U.S.C. 844(i).
You may wonder, “Why no 924(c)?” After all, federal law defines “firearm” to include a “destructive device,” like the ones used here. That would seem to support also charging him with using a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence (because arson is violent: https://lnkd.in/gEpcgZyH).
Well, ABQ is in the Tenth Circuit, and case law there holds that 844(i) is not a crime of violence for 924(c) (in a case similarly involving a firebombing with a Molotov, there a tattoo parlor).
Only in the world of lawyers is a bottle of gas a gun but arson isn’t a violent crime. Go figure.
But the real reason I wrote this post was to commend ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for their great joint investigation. The two agencies haven’t always gotten along on high profile cases but over the course of many years, they’ve worked to build a strong collaborative partnership. This criminal complaint is proof of the progress made. The affidavit was jointly signed by an agent from each agency. I’ve never seen that before. I love it!
I also appreciate that the press release includes a link to the complaint, and both include embedded photos. Well done all the way around.
You can read the press release here: https://lnkd.in/gZ67G6ns, and the criminal complaint here: https://lnkd.in/g7PnyZ-6.