Molotov Cocktail Lawyers Could Get Shorter Prison Sentence In New Deal

BROOKLYN, NY — Two lawyers accused of tossing a Molotov cocktail into an empty NYPD car during a George Floyd protest could spend less time in prison than expected under a new plea deal, court documents show.

Federal prosecutors wanted Urooj Rahman, 32, and Colinford Mattis, 34, to spend up to 10 years in prison under a terrorism enhancement after the pair pleaded guilty in October to possessing and making a destructive device in connection to the firebombing case. A plea deal filed Tuesday, though, could limit their prison sentence to up to two years.

The Brooklyn attorneys agreed to plead guilty to a conspiracy charge, which carries a five year maximum sentence, but federal prosecutors agreed to only pursue a two year maximum sentence, according to the letter filed in their case. A judge, though, could still impose up to five years in prison, the deal states.

Federal prosecutors noted in the letter that the probation department deemed the terrorism enhancement — and its associated 10 year maximum sentence — to be too harsh, since neither Rahman or Mattis have prior criminal records. (This isn't the first time that the court has been questioned for being overly harsh during the case.)

"This increase appears to over-represent the maliciousness of the defendants’ intentions in committing the offense, while also negating the defendants’ otherwise law-abiding lives free of prior criminal convictions," the probation department said of the terrorism enhancement, according to the letter.

Rahman, a corporate attorney, and Mattis, a human rights lawyer, were arrested during a George Floyd solidarity protest on May 30, 2020 near the 88th Precinct in Fort Greene, court records show.

As the protest devolved into chaos, Rahman — who was riding in Mattis' minivan at the time — exited the van and threw a Molotov cocktail through the broken window of an empty police car, charring the dashboard, prosecutors said.

Mattis drove the two away, according to court documents. No one was injured, records show.

Police allegedly found a beer bottle stuffed with toilet paper, a lighter and a gasoline tank in the back of their van.

Paul Schectman, an attorney for Rahman, told the New York Post that he was pleased with the new deal.

"We’re deeply pleased that the Eastern District has taken a second look, a close second look at the case and modified its position," he told The Post. "We still hope to persuade the judge that further incarceration is not necessary."

In order to be finalized, the new plea deal will need to be formally accepted by a judge.

Related Articles:

• Brooklyn Attorneys Plead Guilty In NYPD Firebombing Case
• Federal Charges In NYPD Firebombing Case Called Draconian
• 3 Accused Of Hurling Molotov Cocktails At NYPD Cars: Feds