FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRT (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Justice Department announced today that Antonio Flores was sentenced to 171 months imprisonment for attempting to firebomb the Islamic Center of El Paso in El Paso, Texas.
This kind of conduct is unconscionable, and the Justice Department will vigorously prosecute any individual who attempts to intimidate his fellow citizen through such abhorrent behavior, said Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Bradley J. Schlozman. We are gratified that the court recognized the gravity of this offense and imposed such a significant and appropriate sentence. On Mar. 22, 2005, Flores pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to violating 18 U.S.C. § 247, which prohibits damaging or attempting to damage religious property, and 18 U.S.C. § 844(h), which prohibits the use of fire or an explosive device in the commission of a felony. At his plea hearing, Flores admitted that he threw a Molotov cocktail at the Islamic Center and placed a second, similar device near a gas meter on the Centers property.
At todays sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Phillip R. Martinez imposed a sentence of 171 months incarceration and 3 years supervised release.
Mr. Flores behavior was reprehensible and put the lives of innocent children at risk, said U.S. Attorney Johnny Sutton. Todays sentence shows that this behavior will be severely punished. In announcing the sentencing, Acting Assistant Attorney General Schlozman commended the U.S. Attorneys Office, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the FBI, and the El Paso Police Department for their involvement in the investigation and prosecution of the attack on the El Paso Islamic Center.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. 05-334
Source: US Department of Justice
