Cameron C. Butler, 38, formerly of Broward County, Florida, is headed to federal prison for 18 years after launching a fiery, terror-filled attack on his ex-girlfriend’s Spokane home. In the early hours of July 21, 2016, Butler hurled multiple Molotov cocktails — gasoline-filled beer bottles with burning wicks — at the residence where his former girlfriend and four others were sleeping. One device smashed through a window, igniting a fire that nearly turned deadly. Residents feared for their lives as flames erupted just feet from where they slept.
Spokane police and fire crews responded within minutes, dousing the blaze before it spread. Fire investigators recovered both intact and burned Molotovs at the scene. Digital evidence revealed Butler had sent threatening messages to one of the occupants the day before the attack. His motive: revenge. But the assault wasn’t the full extent of his crimes. When federal agents tracked him to Moses Lake, Washington, they found him carrying a smartphone loaded with child pornography, as defined by federal law.
Butler had been on the run. Authorities discovered he was wanted on multiple outstanding warrants from Broward County, Florida. After his arrest by the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force, he admitted to building six Molotov cocktails in a Ritzville, Washington hotel room before driving to Idaho and then to Spokane. He lit each device and threw them at the home. His actions triggered an instant, multi-agency response — a coordinated push that brought him to justice before he could strike again.
On November 9, 2017, Butler pleaded guilty to three federal charges: Possession of an Unregistered Destructive Device, Interstate Stalking, and Possession of Child Pornography. Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas O. Rice handed down an 18-year prison sentence, followed by 20 years of supervised release. Butler will register as a sex offender for life — a permanent mark for crimes that shattered trust and threatened lives.
“Butler is a dangerous and violent criminal,” said Joseph H. Harrington, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington. “The crimes he committed could have resulted in tragic deaths and injuries. The Court’s sentence will protect the community, punish Butler, and deter others who might consider committing similar crimes.” Harrington emphasized the critical collaboration between federal, state, and local agencies that led to the conviction.
Darek G. Pleasants, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Seattle Field Division, called the case a textbook example of interagency success. “This investigation and conviction reflect a joint effort with state and federal partners,” he said. “The ATF remains committed to targeting violent criminals and child predators.” Spokane Fire Chief Brian Schaeffer added praise for federal collaboration, noting the legal complexity and jurisdictional challenges overcome to secure justice. Butler now faces years behind bars — and a lifetime in the shadows of his crimes.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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