Illinois Man Arrested on Federal Complaint Involving RAY Building

ST. LOUIS,—Jeremiah McGee was arrested and charged with attempted destruction of United States property by fire or explosion. The charges stem from the early Monday morning incident that scorched the wall of the Robert A. Young building. McGee was arrested by FBI agents early this afternoon and is expected to appear in federal court later today.

According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, on April, 23, 2012 at 1:11 a.m., a subject approached the Robert A. Young Federal Building located at 1222 Spruce Street and parked his car close to the guard shack. The guard observed the subject go towards the Robert A. Young building and turn around and return to his car, where he retrieved what appeared to be an object from the vehicle. As the subject got close to the building, the guard saw him light the object and throw it against the northwest corner of the building, causing an explosion, a big flash, and a brief fire. The fire scorched the wall of the building and the sidewalk. St. Louis Police Officers recovered a broken glass bottle at the scene.

Jeremiah Merello McGee, Fairview Heights, Illinois, was charged in a federal complaint with one violation Title 18:844(f)(1).

If convicted, this charge carries a penalty range of five to 20 years in prison and/or fines up to $250,000. In determining the actual sentences, a judge is required to consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide recommended sentencing ranges.

This case is being investigated by the FBI, the Federal Protective Service, Homeland Security, and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

As is always the case, charges set forth in a complaint are merely accusations and do not constitute proof of guilt. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.