A disturbing incident unfolded at the Pentagon yesterday morning, as authorities arrested a 19-year-old man for allegedly attempting to blow up a vehicle in the North Parking lot.
Matthew Dmitri Richardson, a resident of Fayetteville, Arkansas, was discovered by a Pentagon Police Officer on patrol at approximately no specific time yesterday morning. The officer observed Richardson standing next to a vehicle, striking a cigarette lighter to a piece of fabric that was inserted into the vehicle’s gas tank.
When the officer approached Richardson, he allegedly told him that he was going to “blow this vehicle up” and “himself”. Richardson then attempted to flee, running across the parking lot towards Virginia State Route 110 and onto Virginia State Route 27. Surveillance camera footage showed that Richardson jumped over a fence into Arlington National Cemetery, where he was later found by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency Police Emergency Response Team near Arlington House.
During a search of Richardson, officers allegedly discovered a cigarette lighter, gloves, and court documents related to his arrest on or about February 22 for two counts of felony assault on a law enforcement officer in Arlington County.
The owner of the vehicle, an active duty servicemember, does not know Richardson. Richardson is charged with maliciously attempting to damage and destroy by means of fire, a vehicle used in and affecting interstate and foreign commerce. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
In a joint announcement, G. Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Woodrow G. Kusse, Chief of Pentagon Police, stated that Richardson’s actions posed a significant threat to the security and safety of the Pentagon and its personnel.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Embroski and Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc J. Birnbaum.
Richardson’s initial appearance in federal court is scheduled for 2 p.m. today.
Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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