CLEVELAND, OH – A Cleveland man is headed to federal prison after admitting he deliberately set fire to a Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works van during the chaotic aftermath of a 2020 protest. Martino Jamel Andrews, 24, received a 41-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Solomon Oliver, Jr. on Monday, November 7, 2022.
The fire occurred on May 30, 2020, amidst widespread demonstrations and unrest in downtown Cleveland sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Andrews, along with others, targeted the van near the Justice Center, initially vandalizing it with a baseball bat before escalating to arson. According to court documents, Andrews didn’t just damage the vehicle; he actively sought to destroy it.
Investigators say Andrews took a burning rag and jammed it into the van’s fuel tank, igniting a blaze that quickly engulfed the entire vehicle. Disturbingly, evidence presented to the court shows Andrews then posed for photographs near the burning wreckage, seemingly reveling in the destruction. The van was a total loss, deemed unsalvageable by authorities.
The brazen act wouldn’t have remained unsolved without help from the public. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), working alongside the Cleveland Division of Police, released images and video of the incident to the media. Tips from concerned citizens quickly led investigators to Andrews, cementing his role in the arson.
Judge Oliver didn’t just hand down a prison sentence. He also ordered Andrews to pay $3,721.88 in restitution to the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Works, a small attempt to cover the cost of the destroyed vehicle. This case serves as a harsh reminder that even amidst large-scale unrest, individuals will be held accountable for their destructive actions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam J. Joines prosecuted the case. The ATF’s Columbus Field Division spearheaded the investigation, demonstrating the agency’s commitment to pursuing those who exploit periods of civil unrest for criminal gain. Andrews’ sentence sends a clear message: intentionally setting fire to public property carries significant federal consequences.
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