A man accused of setting fire to a northwestern Pennsylvania coffee shop during 2020 demonstrations following the death of George Floyd has pleaded guilty to a federal charge of malicious destruction of property by fire.
Melquan Barnett, 30, entered the plea Wednesday as part of a deal with prosecutors that calls for them to recommend no more than a five-year federal prison term when he is sentenced May 2, the Erie Times-News reported.
The FBI accused Barnett of lighting fire to “an ignitable liquid” tossed onto a countertop at Ember + Forge in Erie shortly after May 2020 protests were followed by rioting. The front window of the shop had already been broken. Apartments above the shop were occupied at the time but no one was injured.
PENNSYLVANIA MAN HOLDS HOSTAGE PIZZA DELIVERY DRIVER WHO FORGOT HIS DRINK: POLICE
Assistant U.S. Attorney Christian Trabold said in court Wednesday that city and federal investigators identified Barnett through surveillance video and video posted on social media.
Defense attorney Charles Sunwabe, who declined comment after the hearing, had unsuccessfully challenged the filing of federal charges in the case. Barnett, who is Black, argued that his race unfairly contributed to that decision and also said he was engaged in free speech during the civil unrest.
A judge dismissed all of Barnett’s contentions in November 2021, saying there was no evidence of bias in the decision to prosecute him in federal court and that acts of violence do not have constitutional protection. FBI officials said the federal arson charge was warranted because the business engages in interstate commerce.
Author Profile
- The Fox News Channel, abbreviated FNC, commonly known as Fox News, and stylized in all caps, is an American multinational conservative cable news television channel based in New York City. It is owned by Fox News Media, which itself is owned by the Fox Corporation.
Latest entries
- HeadlinesOctober 19, 2024College admissions officer rails against Trump supporters in social media post: 'Piece of s—'
- HeadlinesOctober 18, 2024Missing Texas real estate agent’s husband kept in jail with high bond as family rips his lack of cooperation
- HeadlinesOctober 18, 2024Maxim makes an endorsement for the 2024 presidential election: 'You just lost zero fans'
- HeadlinesOctober 18, 2024Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar killed in Gaza, Israel says