Avondale Man Indicted for Damaging ICE Property in Surprise, Officials Say
Federal officials said ICE has paid over $40,000 in repairs after a 19-year-old allegedly used a propane tank and torch in the attack.
- A federal grand jury indicted Gabriel Mendoza-Acoltzi, 19, of Avondale, on May 7 for malicious damage to federal property after allegedly attempting to set fire to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Surprise, Arizona.
- The incident occurred around 1 a.m. on February 21 at a warehouse the Department of Homeland Security purchased for $70 million; Mendoza-Acoltzi admitted to investigators he wanted to stop DHS from hurting his people.
- Surveillance footage captured Mendoza-Acoltzi using a torch to ignite window shades inside the lobby, while investigators discovered a "profane" anti-ICE message spelled out with landscaping rocks on the sidewalk.
- U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael T. Morrissey ordered Mendoza-Acoltzi detained pending further proceedings; if convicted of willful depredation against United States property, he faces five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
- Federal officials reported ICE has already paid over $40,000 in repairs, with total costs estimated at over $400,000, as the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona prosecutes the case.
14 Articles
14 Articles
West Valley teen said he 'went Batman' to stop Surprise ICE detention center, feds say
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is investigating an attempted arson of a Surprise warehouse purchased by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. (Photo by Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/Arizona Mirror)A 19-year-old West Valley resident is facing federal criminal charges for attempting to set fire to a Surprise warehouse that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to turn into a 1,500-bed detention center. In February, a window at the warehou…
Arizona man charged with setting fire to ICE property
An Arizona man has been arrested on federal charges after investigators said he broke a window and set fire to the lobby of an ICE property earlier this year, according to prosecutors. Gabriel Mendoza-Acoltzi, 19, of Avondale, was taken into custody on May 7 after a federal grand jury indicted him on charges of malicious damage to federal property and willful depredation against property of the United States. The incident happened just after 1 a…
Feds say Arizona suspect vandalized ICE facility and attempted to ignite lobby area – Democratic Accent
An Arizona man is facing federal charges after prosecutors said he vandalized and attempted to set fire to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility by using a propane tank and torch to ignite materials inside the building. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said Gerardo Mendoza-Acoltzi of Avondale was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of malicious damage to federal property and willful depredation again…
Feds say Arizona suspect vandalized ICE facility and attempted to ignite lobby area
Avondale, Arizona man Gerardo Mendoza-Acoltzi faces federal charges after prosecutors say he vandalized and attempted to set fire to an ICE facility using a propane tank and torch.
Detroit Free Press
West Valley man indicted in Surprise ICE warehouse fire
The criminal damage occurred about a month after DHS bought a warehouse in Surprise.
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