Jakhi McCray pleaded guilty on Apr. 8 at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn to setting fire to ten New York City Police Department vehicles and one trailer in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn. The plea was entered before United States Magistrate Judge Seth D. Eichenholtz, and McCray now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, with a maximum possible sentence of twenty years, as well as fines and restitution that will be determined by the court.
The case highlights concerns about public safety and law enforcement resources when crimes target police infrastructure. According to prosecutors, the arson occurred just two days before scheduled protests on June 14-15, 2025, which strained NYPD resources needed for public protection.
United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr., Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent Bryan DiGirolamo, and NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced the guilty plea. "The defendant’s actions were not only dangerous, but they were also a direct attack on public safety and the rule of law," said Nocella. "By deliberately setting fire to multiple police vehicles in the pre-dawn hours, the defendant put at risk the lives of first responders and residents asleep in their beds nearby... Today’s guilty plea ensures accountability and sends a clear message that acts of violence and destruction against law enforcement will be met with serious consequences."
DiGirolamo said: "This defendant’s actions—setting fire to multiple NYPD vehicles and causing significant damage—demonstrates a blatant disregard for public safety and the rule of law. Arson is not a form of protest—it is a dangerous crime that puts lives at risk... We remain committed to working alongside our partners to protect our communities and ensure those who commit violent acts are brought to justice." Court documents state that McCray scaled a fence into an NYPD lot on DeKalb Avenue on June 12, 2025; he was seen escaping through a hole in the fence after starting fires that caused over $800,000 in damages.
McCray surrendered himself more than one month later on July 21, 2025. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Rebecca M. Urquiola from the General Crimes Section.
The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York supports community outreach efforts according to its official website. The office maintains locations in Brooklyn and Central Islip per its official website while handling federal prosecutions across Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Nassau County, and Suffolk County as indicated online. Breon Peace leads this office as United States Attorney according to its website, which operates as the designated federal prosecutor's office for these areas as stated online.
