FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885
December 20, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OWINGS MILLS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO THROWING MOLOTOV COCKTAIL
Baltimore, Maryland - Rodney Keene, age 26, of Owings Mills, Maryland pleaded guilty today to using fire and an explosive to commit arson, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.
According to the statement of facts provided to the court as part of the plea agreement, on August 19, 2006, Keene and the owner of the J&H discount Liquor Store at 2104 Frederick Avenue in Baltimore argued about Keene’s identification. Keene banged on the store plexiglass separating Keene from the store owner, cursed and spit at the store owner, then left the store. A few minutes later, Keene returned to the store with a beer bottle filled with gasoline and a cloth wick, known as a flaming molotov cocktail. Keene threw the flaming cocktail into the store, which started a fire. The incident was captured on the store’s video surveillance.
Keene faces a mandatory sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and 3 years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett has scheduled sentencing for March 16, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Keene is in federal custody.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the investigative work performed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Baltimore City Police Department - Arson Unit. Mr. Rosenstein also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kwame J. Manley, who is prosecuting the case.
This page last modified—December 2006