Miguel Ramos, Rioting, New York 2020

Rochester Man Going to Prison for His Role in Burning of RPD Car During May 2020 Violent Protests

In a move to bring justice to the City of Rochester, U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced that Miguel Ramos, a 21-year-old Rochester man, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for his role in the violent protests held in the city in May 2020. Ramos was also ordered to pay restitution totaling $4,287 to the City of Rochester.

The sentencing is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Rochester Police Department, the Gates Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, the New York State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, as well as the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Rochester Fire Department.

According to the investigation, on May 30, 2020, Rochester Police Department officers were assigned to assist with crowd control during protests scheduled at the Public Safety Building on Exchange Boulevard. During the late afternoon/early evening, those protests turned violent and resulted in vandalism, damaged property, looting, and fires.

Ramos was found to have set fire to a marked Rochester Police Department patrol vehicle parked in front of the Public Safety Building. The burning of the RPD car, which was completely destroyed, was broadcast live on Facebook, which streamed the burning online in real time. Ramos also took photographs of himself at the riot and sent those photographs to others via text message to encourage them to participate in the riot.

The exact criminal charges against Ramos were rioting. The city and state where the crime occurred were Rochester, New York. The exact date of the crime was May 30, 2020. The sentence or outcome was 16 months in prison, plus restitution of $4,287 to the City of Rochester.

Ramos’ sentencing is a significant step towards holding individuals accountable for their actions during the violent protests in Rochester in 2020. The investigation and subsequent sentencing demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting public safety and upholding the law.

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