A Georgia man is accused of throwing a Molotov cocktail, a homemade fire bomb, at the Atlanta ICE building that houses the city’s immigration court.
Story Highlights
- Inique Hinton, 31, of Douglasville, faces federal charges of attempted arson of a federal building and damaging government property.
- Prosecutors say cameras caught him lighting an object and throwing it at the building on the night of Tuesday, October 20.
- Atlanta police officers saw it happen and chased him on foot, but he got away.
- FBI agents arrested him three days later, and he surrendered peacefully.
- If convicted, he faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in federal prison on the arson count.
Arrest Comes Three Days After Fire Attack
FBI agents arrested Inique Hinton on Friday, October 23, at a home in Cobb County, outside Atlanta, shortly after 6 p.m. He surrendered without a struggle, officials said. Hours earlier, a federal magistrate judge, a judge who handles early steps in federal cases, approved a criminal complaint against him. The charges are for allegedly throwing a fire bomb at the federal building at 180 Ted Turner Drive in downtown Atlanta. Officials have not released a motive.
The building is home to the Atlanta Immigration Court, where judges decide whether people can stay in the country. It also holds offices for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its investigators. Before the arrest, the FBI offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information about the suspect.
What Prosecutors Say Happened
According to prosecutors, security cameras showed Hinton walking near the building at about 8:12 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20. Minutes later, they say, he lit an object and threw it toward the building. It hit the outside fence, and flames spread. Investigators found burned cloth, lighter fluid, a glass bottle and a lighter at the scene. An FBI official said the device caused minimal damage but could have put lives at risk.
Investigators identified Hinton through surveillance video and forensic evidence, according to reports. The FBI led the case with help from Atlanta police, Homeland Security investigators and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, a team of federal and local officers who handle terrorism threats.
Charges Carry Up to 20 Years
Theodore Hertzberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia and the top federal prosecutor there, called the attack a “despicable, terroristic crime.” He said, “An attack on federal property is an attack against our democracy.” He also said he did not know of any past criminal convictions for Hinton.
If convicted, Hinton faces at least 5 years and up to 20 years in federal prison on the arson count, and up to 10 years on the property count, according to reports. “Those who attack our government buildings with fire and violence will be held accountable,” said Marlo Graham, who leads the FBI’s Atlanta office.
A criminal complaint is only a charge. Hinton is presumed innocent unless the government proves his guilt in court. No statement from Hinton or a lawyer for him has been reported. He was set for his first court appearance on Monday, October 26, according to reports.
Sources:
pjmedia.com, justice.gov, cbsnews.com, fox5atlanta.com, 11alive.com
