South Plainfield Man Admits To Setting Police Car On Fire In Riot

SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A South Plainfield man admitted in federal court Tuesday that he attempted to interfere with law enforcement officers after he tried to set fire to a police car during a riot in Trenton last summer, according to acting U.S. Attorney Rachael Honig.

Justin Spry, 22, of South Plainfield, pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to obstruct, impede, or interfere with law enforcement officers during a civil disorder affecting commerce, said the U.S. Attorney's office.

Sentencing for Spry is scheduled for Aug. 3.

The incident took place May 31, as part of the Black Lives Matter protests in response to the death of George Floyd. It was the U.S. Attorney that used the term "riot," calling what happened in Trenton that day "a civil disorder affecting commerce."

"Although the May 31 protest in Trenton was peaceful earlier in the day, violence erupted later," said Honig. "A group of individuals proceeded down East State Street in downtown Trenton and began to riot, smashing storefronts, looting stores, and attacking multiple marked Trenton Police Department vehicles parked on the 100 block of East State Street."

"A city of Trenton street camera and other video footage taken by someone on the street captured Kadeem Dockery light an explosive device and throw it through the open front driver’s side window of a Trenton Police Department vehicle," she alleged. "Dockery then removed his shirt and handed it to Killian Melecio, who then attempted to stuff the shirt in the gas tank of the police vehicle and ignite it. Melecio was then assisted by Spry in attempting to set fire to the police vehicle."

Law enforcement officers on scene arrested Spry, but Melecio and Dockery fled.

Law enforcement later identified Melecio and Dockery through analysis of street camera and other video footage. They were arrested on Aug. 5, 2020. Melecio pleaded guilty on Jan. 26, but the charges against Dockery are still pending.

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