BUFFALO, N.Y. – A shocking act of arson has left a trail of destruction in its wake, and now the man responsible is facing the music.
On June 13, 2014, Ryan Smolinski, 26, of Buffalo, NY, pleaded guilty to arson of a commercial building before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
According to court documents, Smolinski was upset about his father losing his business, Western New York Property Contractors, which his father co-owned with another individual. He enlisted the help of co-defendant Lowell Carey and another co-conspirator to set fire to the building at 349 Ontario St.
Smolinski and his co-conspirators made Molotov cocktails using beer bottles, gasoline, and a t-shirt as a wick. They then threw the devices onto the roof of the building and underneath a garage door, causing approximately $2,207.89 in damages.
Smolinski’s plea carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. He is scheduled to be sentenced on August 27, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. before Judge Arcara.
Charges are pending against Lowell Carey, who is also accused of being involved in the arson.
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Delano A. Reid, and the Buffalo Fire Department, under the direction of Commissioner Garnell Whitfield.
Related Federal Cases
- Robert Doggart, Mosque Arson Solicitation, New York 2015 · Tennessee
- Johnny Ray Gasca, Kidnapping, New York 2021 · Pennsylvania
- Thomas Disla, Multiple Shootings, New York 2022 · Pennsylvania
- Ahmed Altorei, Narcotics Conspiracy, New York 2022 · New York
- Malcolm Hogue, Shooting into Crowd, New York 2024 · New York
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime