In a shocking turn of events, William Lovell Smith, 48, of Buffalo, New York, was sentenced to 49 months in prison for possessing destructive devices, namely Molotov cocktails.
The devices, which consisted of glass bottles filled with gasoline and a fuse or method of ignition, were used to burn an occupied dwelling on Schreck Avenue in Buffalo on November 1, 2011.
Smith pleaded guilty to violating Title 18, United States Code, Section 5861(d), which governs the receipt and possession of destructive devices.
According to Assistant United States Attorney Joel L. Violanti, Smith assisted in manufacturing at least two Molotov cocktails, which were used to burn the dwelling.
The successful prosecution was the culmination of an investigation by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Buffalo Fire Investigation Unit.
As part of his sentence, Smith will also serve three years of supervised release and pay $70,000 in restitution to the victim.
Related Federal Cases
- William Mateo, Bank Robbery, New York 2016 · New Hampshire
- 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 →
