A Molotov cocktail attack on a St. Charles restaurant has led to a guilty plea from a disgruntled former employee.
Rashaad Cotton, 25, of St. Louis County, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to a felony charge of attempting to commit arson.
Cotton admitted to throwing a Molotov cocktail on a residential street in a suburban area in St. Charles on April 30, 2021, at approximately 6:20 p.m. Twenty minutes later, he threw another Molotov cocktail on the northeast side of the Sauce on the Side restaurant on Beale Street in St. Charles. He also threw one near the front door. A juvenile female with Cotton threw a Molotov cocktail at a patio area, Cotton’s plea agreement says. The restaurant was open and serving customers.
The pair then ran back to Cotton’s vehicle and sped away, but crashed into a curb and were arrested. Cotton told police that he had been fired from the restaurant the night before and wanted to scare people.
The case was investigated by the St. Charles Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Ware is prosecuting the case.
Cotton could face five to 20 years in prison for the crime at his sentencing, scheduled for April 19.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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