A Gardena woman, Teranee Millet, is headed to federal prison for two years after throwing a Molotov cocktail inside a Bank of America branch in Torrance, California. The September 20, 2021, attack wasn’t a spontaneous act of rage, but the culmination of a bizarre and escalating confrontation with bank staff. Millet, clearly determined to make a scene, initially demanded a different teller, then threatened to ‘blow this bitch up’ when her request was denied.
She didn’t just talk. Millet left the bank, then returned minutes later armed with a homemade firebomb. The Molotov cocktail ignited upon impact, sending flames across the bank floor. Luckily, a customer acted fast, smothering the blaze before it could spread and cause serious damage or injury. The scene quickly devolved into chaos, with employees and customers scrambling for safety.
But Millet wasn’t finished. As she fled the scene, she targeted another customer, hurling a glass bottle at their truck, causing minor damage. The feds and Torrance PD immediately launched a manhunt. It wasn’t long before they tracked Millet to Georgia, where she led officers on a reckless high-speed chase in a stolen U-Haul van. The chase ended with a crash, leaving Millet injured and in custody.
The search of the van revealed a disturbing stockpile of additional incendiary devices. Inside a gym bag, investigators found four packs of glass bottles stuffed with tissue, a can of lighter fluid, and a full five-gallon container of gasoline. This wasn’t just a single, impulsive act; it was clear Millet was prepared to escalate the violence and inflict widespread destruction. This cache cemented the severity of the charges.
Millet ultimately pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm and destructive device on March 21, 2023. U.S. District Judge Stanley Blumenfeld Jr. handed down the 2-year sentence, acknowledging the seriousness of her actions. The FBI, Torrance Police Department, and Torrance Fire Department collaborated on the investigation, building a solid case against Millet.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that this sentence sends a clear message: threatening violence and attacking public spaces will not be tolerated. While no one was seriously injured in the attack, the potential for disaster was immense. Millet’s actions instilled fear in the community and disrupted the lives of those present at the bank. Her two-year sentence, while not a lengthy one, reflects the gravity of her crimes and the potential consequences of her reckless behavior.
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