Mackenzie Drechsler, Arson, New York 2020

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Rochester Woman Sentenced for Arson During 2020 Protests

A 20-year-old Rochester woman has been sentenced to prison for her role in setting fires during violent protests in the city in May 2020.

Mackenzie Drechsler was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, two years of supervised release, and ordered to pay restitution totaling $8,674, including $3,775 to the City of Rochester and $4,899 to the N.Y. State Attorney General’s Office.

Drechsler was convicted of rioting for her role in the protests, which were held in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The protests turned violent and resulted in vandalism, damaged property, looting, and fires.

On May 30, 2020, Drechsler assisted others in attempting to light fabric on fire, which was stuffed into the gas tank of a parked car belonging to the City of Rochester Family Crisis Intervention Team. The car was a total loss after it became engulfed in flames.

Drechsler also set fire to an official vehicle owned by the New York State Attorney General’s Office, crouching down and placing cardboard inside the vehicle before walking away. The car was a total loss after it became engulfed in flames. Following her actions, Drechsler participated in breaking glass during looting that took place.

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, the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, the Greater Rochester Area Narcotics Enforcement Team, and the Rochester Fire Department.

Contact: Barbara Burns, (716) 843-5817