U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced that Michael B. Benitez, a 34-year-old resident of Buffalo, NY, has been sentenced to 27 months in prison for his involvement in an attempt to damage railroad equipment. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara.
Benitez was convicted of attempting to wreck, derail, set fire to, or disable railroad on-track equipment. In addition to the prison term, he was ordered to pay $1,382 in restitution to Norfolk Southern Railway.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles M. Kruly provided details of the incident, stating that on June 14, 2023, Benitez placed several tires on the railroad tracks behind his then-residence on Railroad Avenue in Farnham. He poured gasoline over the tires and ignited them. This fire led to the destruction of equipment owned by Norfolk Southern used for identifying railroad equipment during transit. As a result, Norfolk Southern had to halt trains until the fire was extinguished and repairs were made.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under Special Agent-in-Charge Matthew Miraglia's direction. The Town of Brandt Police Department and Norfolk Southern Police Department also participated in the investigation.
