Man in Washington Has Been Sentenced After He He protested With A Box Of Molotov Cocktails.

Sentencing for Role in Plot to Burn Seattle Police Officers Guild Building

A Washington man has been sentenced in the U.S. District Court in Seattle to 40 months in prison for his involvement in a conspiracy to set fire to the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) building located in downtown Seattle in September 2020.

Justin Christopher Moore’s Involvement

Justin Christopher Moore, aged 35 and a resident of Renton, played a central role in this incident. Court documents reveal that on Labor Day, September 7, 2020, Moore created and carried a box containing 12 Molotov cocktails during a protest march headed for the Seattle Police Officers Guild building. However, the march was redirected away from the building in downtown Seattle due to concerns raised by law enforcement officers who detected the smell of gasoline among the protestors. Subsequently, the box containing the 12 Molotov cocktails was discovered in the parking lot adjacent to the SPOG building. Through video evidence from that day and other protests and information from the electronic devices of co-conspirators, Moore was identified as the individual responsible for carrying the box of destructive devices.

Search Warrant and Incriminating Evidence

In June 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Moore’s residence. During the search, they seized clothing matching the attire Moore wore when transporting the Molotov cocktails. Additionally, in the basement storage area, authorities uncovered various items consistent with the manufacturing of explosive devices. Notably, a notebook was recovered in which Moore had made entries related to the creation of destructive devices and the necessary ingredients.

Prosecution’s Argument for Sentence

Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg, representing the Western District of Washington, advocated for a 41-month sentence. He emphasized the inherent danger in Moore’s actions, stating that carrying and abandoning the box of explosive bottles posed a significant risk of harm. Greenberg underscored that Moore’s offense had put numerous bystanders at risk, given that he was among a crowd of over 1,000 participants in the protest march. The potential consequences of one of the devices detonating were a grave concern.

Investigating Agencies

The FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and the Seattle Police Department collaborated in the investigation of this case.

Prosecution Team and Assistance

Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Greenberg, representing the Western District of Washington, led the prosecution of the case. Valuable assistance was provided by the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.