Pittsburgh man faces federal charges in police car fire during May 30 protests
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A Pittsburgh man faces federal charges, accused of setting fire to an unmarked police car during a protest downtown.
Devin Montgomery, 24, was charged with malicious destruction of property using fire or explosives in connection with an incident May 30 near the Fifth Avenue entrance to PPG Paints Arena.
Authorities said a crowd was marching down Washington Place toward Fifth Avenue about 5:15 p.m. that day.
One of the first people to approach the police car was a Black man wearing an Antonio Brown Steelers jersey, a black beanie, a dark bandana-type mask covering the lower portion of his face, blue jeans and dark shoes.
That man was later identified as Montgomery after Pittsburgh police posted his photos on Facebook and put out other public requests for the suspect’s identification.
Authorities said he and another person dressed all in black and wearing a mask are seen tossing ignited items into the rear passenger side of the vehicle.
Montgomery was taken into federal custody Tuesday afternoon in Pittsburgh. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison.
Montgomery was one of several people recently arrested for alleged violent acts during the May 30 protests.