Council Bluffs Man Charged with Being in Possession of Molotov Cocktail During Recent Omaha Protests

United States Attorney Joe Kelly announced today the Indictment of Steven M. Fitch, age 25, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, charging him in the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska for being in unlawful possession of a destructive device.  Fitch faces a maximum punishment of 10 years’ imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and up to three years of supervised release.  An indictment is merely a charging document and is not a finding of guilt as defendants are presumed innocent until guilt is proven beyond a reasonable doubt. 

On May 31, 2020, Fitch, while in Omaha, Nebraska, is alleged to have possessed a destructive device, also known as a Molotov Cocktail, not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.  Fitch was arrested on May 31, 2020 during protests in downtown Omaha.

Fitch appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson on August 26, 2020, where he pleaded not guilty.  Judge Nelson ordered Fitch detained until trial.

This case is being investigated by the Omaha Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.