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Killian F. Melecio, 20, of Columbus must serve just all of the sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system.
Melecio admitted via video conference in U.S. District Cout in Trenton earlier this year that he stuffed a shirt he’d gotten from another man into the gas tank of the vehicle and tried to ignite it on May 31, 2020.
The protest earlier that day in response to the death of George Floyd had been peaceful, authorities said. Violence later erupted as a mob spread down East State Street, smashing windows, looting stores and attacking city police vehicles.
Kadeem A. Dockery of Trenton was seen in video footage lighting a makeshift Molotov cocktail and throwing it through the open front driver’s side window of a Trenton Police Department vehicle, federal authorities said.
Dockery then “removed his shirt and handed it to Melecio, who attempted to stuff the shirt in the gas tank of the police vehicle and ignite it,” Acting U.S. Attorney Rachel Honig said.
Melecio fled and Dockery “lit another explosive device and threw it over the Trenton police vehicle at the arresting officers,” she said, adding that it “exploded at their feet.”
A third man, Justin Spry, was arrested at the scene.
Investigators identified Melecio, of Burlington County, and Dockery “through their distinctive tattoos seen on the video footage,” the U.S. attorney said.
They were arrested on Aug. 5, she said.
BUSTED! Tattoos Help ID Men In Trenton Protest Firebombings, FBI Says
Rather than face trial, all three took deals from the government, pleading guilty to attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce.
SEE: Rioter Admits Torching Trenton Police Cruiser After George Floyd Protest (Melecio)
SEE: Middlesex Man Admits Trying To Torch Trenton Police Car Following Floyd Protest (Spry)
SEE: Final Defendant In Trenton Police Car Firebombing Takes Guilty Plea In Federal Court (Dockery)
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti sentenced Melecio to three years of supervised release.
Spry is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 3 and Dockery on Sept. 21.
Dockery also still faces state charges of throwing another firebomb at New Jersey State Police troopers during the riot.
SEE: Trenton Rioter Threw Makeshift Molotov Cocktail At State Troopers, New Indictment Charges
Honig credited special agents of the FBI and officers with the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark with the investigation leading to the arrests and pleas, secured by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Michelle Gasparian of her Criminal Division in Trenton.
She also thanked Trenton police, New Jersey State Police and officers with the state Department of Corrections for their assistance.
Handling the case for the government are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander E. Ramey and Michelle S. Gasparian of her Criminal Division in Trenton.
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