The U.S. Attorney’s Office Eastern District of Pennsylvania released the below information:
PHILADELPHIA
– Acting United States Attorney Jennifer Arbittier Williams announced that
Michael Fields, 34, and Desiree Adorno, 65, both of Philadelphia, PA, were
arrested and charged by Indictment for their alleged attempt to rob a Wawa in
Philadelphia with multiple explosive devices. Fields made his initial
appearance in federal court today, and Adorno is scheduled to make her initial
appearance in federal court on Monday.
Following
peaceful protests in Philadelphia in the early afternoon of May 30, 2020 in
response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, civil unrest began
to unfold later that afternoon and into the following day that resulted in
widespread looting, burglary, arson, destruction of property, and other violent
acts. The Indictment alleges that in early June 2020, Fields and Adorno
conspired with other individuals to break into a Wawa store on Richmond Street
in Philadelphia. In addition to stealing merchandise from the store, the
Indictment alleges that the defendants had explosive devices in their
possession, one of which was placed inside a lottery machine inside the Wawa,
and two of which were placed near a safe and a cash register in the middle of
the store. Police arrived at the store before any devices were detonated. Both Fields
and Adorno are charged with conspiracy and attempting to maliciously damage
property used in interstate commerce by means of an explosive, and aiding and
abetting. Fields was also charged with possession of an unregistered firearm.
“The
U.S. Attorney’s Office and the entire Department of Justice will always support
peaceful protest – we are sworn to protect the rights guaranteed by the First
Amendment,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Williams. “But that does not cover
destructive rioting, looting, committing arson and other violent acts. Here,
the defendants allegedly attempted to detonate explosive devices while robbing
a store, potentially endangering many lives including those of police officers
who responded to the scene. This conduct is not free speech and is not
protected by our constitution; rather, it is criminal.”
“As
alleged, these defendants were in possession of several explosive devices and
appeared intent to use them,” said Matthew Varisco, Special Agent in charge of
ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division. “This type of behavior places our
entire community in danger. I commend the outstanding work of the
Philadelphia Police Department who acted swiftly and were able to arrest these
individuals before further harm could be done. ATF, along with our local,
state and federal partners remain dedicated to protecting our community from
violent acts of all kinds.”
This
case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together
all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent
crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of
Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on
targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in
partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the
local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce
violent crime.
If
convicted, defendant Fields faces a maximum possible sentence of 90 years
in prison, and defendant Adorno faces a maximum possible sentence of 80
years in prison.
The
case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and
Explosives and the Philadelphia Police Department, and is being prosecuted by
Assistant United States Attorney Roberta Benjamin.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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