NJ Man Indicted For Throwing Explosive Device At State Police

MERCER COUNTY, NJ — A Trenton man was indicted on Monday for throwing an explosive device at the New Jersey State Police last year, attorney general Gurbir S. Grewal announced Tuesday.

Kadeem Dockery, 29, was indicted by a state grand jury on charges of aggravated assault, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, aggravated assault and aggravated assault.

According to documents and court statements, on May 31, 2020 at about 8:13 p.m., Dockery lit an explosive device and threw it through the open driver’s window of a Trenton Police vehicle.

The device exploded and smoke began emanating from the vehicle. Dockery then removed his T-shirt and gave it to another man, Killian F. Melecio, who walked around the rear of a second Trenton Police vehicle, according to the attorney general.

Melecio and a third man, Justin Spry, inserted the T-shirt into the gas tank of the police vehicle and tried to light it on fire, according to the news release.

New Jersey State Troopers attempted arrests, but Melecio fled as Spry resisted the arresting troopers, according to the attorney general

When State Troopers near the second police vehicle, attempted to arrest Spry, Dockery crouched on the other side of the police vehicle, lit another explosive device, and threw it over the vehicle at a group of State Troopers, said the attorney general’s office.

According to court documents, Dockery ran away as the device exploded at the feet of the troopers, causing one to suffer temporary loss of hearing.

“We will not tolerate violence directed at law enforcement,” Grewal said in a statement.

“Dockery’s alleged actions might have resulted in serious injuries to the state troopers, who risk their health and safety every day to protect our communities. This indictment reflects our commitment to protect our law enforcement officers by prosecuting those who threaten or harm them to the full extent of the law,” he said.

Colonel Patrick J. Callahan, Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police said the rigorous physical and mental training every trooper receives prepares them to handle violent and chaotic situations.

“I commend the hard work and dedication of New Jersey State Police Sgt. Hugo Ribeiro, who served as the case agent on the investigation with the FBI, and our partnering agencies that led to this indictment,” Callahan said.

Dockery, Melecio and Spry face federal charges filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey related to the attempts to burn police vehicles.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000. The charge of second-degree aggravated assault carries a period of parole ineligibility equal to 85 percent of the sentence imposed. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.