Frederick Man Arrested for Alleged Fire Bombing of Loudoun County Department of Community Corrections Building

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jonathan Ernesto Godoy, 25, of Frederick, Maryland, made his initial appearance in federal court today on charges of using a destructive device during or in relation to the arson of the Loudoun County Department of Community Corrections building.

According to court documents and court proceedings, in the fall of 2012 Godoy was on supervised probation in Loudoun County stemming from possession of narcotics charges. In danger of violating his conditions of probation due to missed appointments, adulterated urine samples, and positive drug tests, Godoy, along with a co-conspirator, allegedly made two destructive devices using glass bottles, gasoline, and scraps of cotton t-shirt, commonly known as “Molotov cocktails,”  and attempted to throw the devices into Godoy’s probation officer’s window. 

According to court documents, at least one of the devices exploded inside of the Loudoun County Department of Corrections building and caused severe fire damage.  The fire, which occurred during the early morning hours of Nov. 14, 2012, caused such destruction that the occupants of the Corrections building had to move to an alternate location. 

Godoy faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years in prison and a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Dana J. Boente, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia; Linda Hale, Chief Fire Marshal, Loudon County Department of Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Management; and Charles E. Smith, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) Washington Field Division, made the announcement after Godoy’s initial appearance before U.S. District Magistrate Judge Theresa Buchanan.

This case was investigated by the Loudoun County Fire Marshal’s Office and the ATF.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Rich and Zach Terwilliger are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Loudoun County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.  Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:15-mj-382.