GRIMY TIMES EXCLUSIVE: In a fiery display of justice, Noel D. Cruz-Torres has been sentenced to five years in the slammer for his brazen Molotov cocktail attacks in Puerto Rico.
The sentence was handed down by US District Court Judge Gustavo Gelpí, according to Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico. Cruz-Torres pleaded guilty on November 16, 2016, for his malicious use of explosive materials.
Cruz-Torres was caught red-handed in June 2016 after a series of Molotov cocktail throws at DuPont Pioneer’s Salinas facility and at officers of the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) who detained him. The agricultural firm, known for its crop-genetic research and seed imports, was targeted with explosive fury.
The plea agreement details how an explosion near DuPont Pioneer led to a tense standoff. When police and firefighters responded, they found Cruz-Torres in full attack mode, wearing a black t-shirt as a mask, and carrying a backpack filled with explosives. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails at officers and even targeted a fire truck with a lit device.
Further adding fuel to the fiery narrative was a flag found at the scene with pro-independence slogans, painting a picture of Cruz-Torres’ alleged motive: “LEVANTATE BORICUA Q HA LLEGADO EL MOMENTO DE DEFENDER NTRA PATRIA: VIVA P.R. Libre”.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alexander Alum, with the FBI leading the investigation in collaboration with PRPD.
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Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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