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Press Release

New Jersey Man Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison for Throwing an Explosive Device at Police During May 30, 2020, Pittsburgh Protest

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH - A resident of Long Beach Township, New Jersey, has been sentenced in federal court to 24 months of incarceration followed by three years of supervised release on a conviction of obstruction of law enforcement during civil disorder, United States Attorney Cindy K. Chung announced today.

United States District Judge Arthur J. Schwab imposed the sentence on Nicholas Lucia, 27.

The court was previously advised that on May 30, 2020, Lucia threw an explosive device towards several uniformed police officers who were attempting to maintain control during ongoing rioting. The explosive device landed on the vest of one of the officers, and another officer quickly pulled it off and threw it before it exploded. One officer suffered a concussion as a result of being in close proximity to the explosion.

Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan D. Lusty prosecuted this case on behalf of the government.

United States Attorney Chung commended the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for the joint investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Lucia.

Updated June 8, 2022

Topic
Violent Crime