Man Sentenced to 18 Years in Movie Theater Bottle Bombings

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Photo Credit: Prince George’s County Fire Department

A Bowie man charged with a string of bottle bomb explosions in regional movie theaters agreed Friday that prosecutors have enough evidence to convict him of the incidents in Silver Spring and Hanover.

Manuel Joyner-Bell Jr., 21, of Bowie, was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday for manufacturing and throwing self made bottle bombs in movie theaters Maryland and Virginia last year, according to WUSA 9.

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks calls the 18-year sentence “completely appropriate.”

“This case terrorized people,” she said according to WTOP.

Joyner-Bell’s attorney had asked that he receive an 18-month sentence and probation. His lawyer argued Joyner-Bell’s actions were a bad prank inspired by YouTube videos and shows like “Jackass.”

Joyner-Bell was arrested on May 31, 2014 and accused of the manufacture/possession/detonation of a destructive device that occurred at the Magic Johnson Movie Theatre in Largo. As reported in Patch, on December 12, 2014, Joyner-Bell pleaded guilty for that incident.

See: Bowie Man Pleads Guilty in Movie Theater Bottle Bombing

Similar bottle bombing incidents occurred in five theaters on six occasions between March and May. During those incidents 300 moviegoers were evacuated and no injuries were reported. Authorities say that Joyner confessed to those incidents after his arrest, The Washington Post reported.

After sentencing in Maryland, Joyner-Bell faces extradition to Virginia to face charges there, WUSA 9 reported.