Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia
A Henrico man has been sentenced to eight years and one month in prison for possessing destructive devices, according to a recent announcement from Richmond, Virginia. Xavier Louis Lopez, 25, was found guilty of the charges stemming from incidents that began in August 2020.
Court documents reveal that Lopez engaged in acts of vandalism by slashing car tires in his neighborhood with a knife due to disagreements over political views. When apprehended by police officers, he resisted arrest violently and attempted to seize control of a knife while assaulting the officers.
Following his arrest, a search of Lopez's residence uncovered more than a thousand rounds of ammunition, several high-capacity magazines, rifle parts, and various machining tools. These items were confiscated as part of a plea agreement related to felony vandalism charges in 2021.
After serving time for those charges and being released in November 2022, investigators discovered eight Molotov cocktails at Lopez’s home. The destructive devices contained Styrofoam mixed with gasoline to create improvised napalm. Additionally, authorities found 9mm hollow-point ammunition and evidence suggesting Lopez was attempting to complete a 3D-printed handgun build kit purchased anonymously online.
The sentencing was announced by Erik S. Siebert, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, alongside Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. They acknowledged the support provided by the Henrico County Police Department and Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office during the investigation.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas A. Garnett and Peter S. Duffey.
Further details can be accessed through the websites of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia or via PACER under Case No. 3:23-cr-79.
