PROVIDENCE, RI – A Providence police cruiser lies in ruins, and now a second man is facing federal charges for allegedly lighting the fuse. Nicholas L. Scaglione, 30, of Cranston, was arrested Tuesday and charged with attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire, adding to the case already built against Luis Joel Sierra, 34, of Providence.
The June 2, 2020 riot downtown provided the backdrop for what authorities are calling a deliberate act of destruction. Sierra was arrested last Friday, also charged with attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire, and remains in federal custody. The investigation, a joint effort by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Providence Police, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, alleges Sierra ignited flammable liquid inside the cruiser, quickly escalating the damage.
But Sierra wasn’t alone, according to court documents. Scaglione allegedly escalated the blaze, squirting additional flammable liquid onto the vehicle, intensifying the fire that ultimately consumed the police cruiser. Both men are accused of boasting about their involvement, sharing details with others through texts and conversations. One particularly damning text from Scaglione reads, “But that police cruiser that went up in flames last night can be replaced… I was pissed. I’ve been pissed. That was pent up years of rage and frustration with the way I’ve seen and been treated by police. That cop car can be replaced. People’s lives cannot… Then I go out fighting and standing up for s**t I believe in. Cuz I know for a fact if it was you or anyone else I was close to I’d burn the whole police force down and not even blink.”
Law enforcement built their case on a flood of digital evidence. Following the release of an FBI poster seeking information on two persons of interest – identified as Sierra (#1) and Scaglione (#2) – tips poured in, including emails, phone calls, text messages, and Snapchat videos. Sierra reportedly confessed to applying flammable liquid and igniting it with a lighter, and this was corroborated by video evidence from his phone and a recorded conversation.
United States Attorney Aaron L. Weisman, Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta, and Providence Police Chief Colonel Hugh T. Clements, Jr. jointly announced Scaglione’s arrest. Scaglione was released on unsecured bond. If convicted of attempted malicious destruction of a vehicle by fire, both Sierra and Scaglione face a potential sentence of 5 to 20 years imprisonment, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr. is prosecuting the case. Weisman extended gratitude to the Rhode Island Fusion Center for their assistance. It’s crucial to remember that a federal criminal complaint is simply an accusation, and both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops.
Related Federal Cases
- Luis Sierra Accused of Burning Providence Police Cruiser · Rhode Island
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- Felony Firearms Possession Lands Providence Man Behind Bars · Rhode Island
- Grimy Times: Providence Man Gets 26 Years for Hobbs Act Robbery · Rhode Island
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Key Facts
- State: Rhode Island
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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