TRENTON, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A 22-year-old New Jersey man was sentenced Thursday to two years in federal prison for attempting to set fire to a Trenton police car amid nationwide protests after George Floyd's death.
Justin D. Spry, of South Plainfield, N.J., previously pleaded guilty in March to one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce, Acting U.S. Attorney Rachael A. Honig announced.
Court documents said a May 31, 2020, once-peaceful protest in Trenton became violent amid unrest nationwide in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death.
A group walked down East State Street and "began to riot," smashing storefronts, looting stores and attacking marked Trenton patrol vehicles.
Officials said street camera footage and video taken during the protest captured Kadeem Dockery "light an explosive device and throw it through the open front driver’s side window of a Trenton Police Department vehicle."
Documents said Dockery removed his shirt, gave it to Killian Melecio, who attempted to stuff it in the gas tank and ignite it. Spry then helped Melecio in attempting to set the car on fire.
Spry was arrested at the scene, but Melecio and Dockery fled. The duo was later identified and arrested in Aug. 2020.
The office said Melecio pleaded guilty in Jan. 2021 and was later sentenced to 28 months in prison. Dockery is expected to be sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty in May.
Along with Spry's prison term, U.S. District Judge Brian Martinotti sentenced Spry to three years of supervised release.