Frederick Man Indicted for Alleged Firebombings of Loudoun County Probation Office

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – Jonathan Ernesto Godoy, 25, of Frederick, Maryland, was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges relating to his alleged involvement in two firebombings of the Loudoun County Department of Community Corrections (DCC) building.  The charges include arson affecting interstate commerce, conspiracy to commit arson, attempted arson, possession of an unregistered destructive device, and the use and carry of a destructive device during or in relation to a crime of violence. 

According to court documents, Godoy was serving a one year term of supervised probation through DCC.  While on probation, Godoy tested positive for continued drug use and was told that his violations could result in him being sent to prison.  In addition to submitted “dirty” urine samples, Godoy also missed scheduled drug testing and probation appointments.  In an effort to avoid violating his probation and being sent to jail, Godoy devised a plan to destroy DCC through the use of destructive devices—gasoline filled bottles with cotton wicks—commonly referred to as a “Molotov Cocktail.”  The indictment alleges that Godoy and a co-conspirator threw Molotov Cocktails at DCC in the early morning hours of Nov. 14, 2012.  The fire on that date at the DCC caused serious damage to the building, causing DCC to relocate to another location.

According to the indictment, after the first fire Godoy missed additional appointments with his probation officer in Loudoun and was told to report on Dec. 19, 2012 to provide documentation for the missed appointments.  On Dec. 19, 2012, Godoy allegedly attempted to destroy the relocated DCC by throwing a Molotov Cocktail at that 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.

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.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.