(The Center Square) — A 43-year-old Army vet and "anti-ICE" demonstrator is facing arson charges after Monday's fiery attack outside of a federal immigration court in New York City.
Andrew Arrabaca, of Poughkeepsie, has been charged with destruction of property owned or leased by the United States by means of fire or explosives and causing personal injury or substantial risk of injury, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years in prison, according to U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton's office.
"As alleged, the defendant caused a scene of destruction and mayhem by setting a fire at the entrance to a federal building in lower Manhattan which houses thousands of federal employees and receives hundreds of visitors daily," Clayton said in a statement.
"I am thankful for the brave, swift response of our law enforcement partners who stopped the defendant before he could cause greater harm," he added. Once again, our bravest ran to the fire."
Arrabaca, who made his initial appearance in Manhattan federal court, is being held without bail. He was taken into custody outside 26 Federal Plaza early Monday morning after authorities said he allegedly ignited a gas fire at the entrance of the building and set off fireworks before firing pellets from an airsoft rifle.
The building houses dozens of agencies, including the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Several people were injured, 40s said
The former U.S. Army mechanic also had a cache of weapons, including axes, a hammer, a machete, knives, and other incendiary devices in a wheeled beach cart with an "ICE Off Our Streets" sign attached, federal authorities said. He also made anti-government and anti-ICE statements during the incident, officials said.
James Barnacle, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s New York field office, said Arrabaca acts "appear to have been motivated by his anti-Government and anti-ICE beliefs."
"FBI New York has zero tolerance for violence targeted at federal employees who choose to serve all Americans," Barnacle said.
The federal immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza has become ground zero in Democrats’ push against what they say is unlawful overreach by federal immigration agents. Democrats and advocates have held protests and press briefings outside the building, which also includes offices for ICE and other federal agencies.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the incident is "a stark reminder of the dangers that law enforcement officers face and the importance of the NYPD’s work with our federal partners to keep the people of New York City safe."
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