NC Man Sentenced to 7 years for fire set after protest

Raleigh -- A Raleigh man pled guilty on March 23, 2021 to setting a fire inside a store in Raleigh

after a demonstration over the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On Thursday, December 16, 2021, Richard Rubalcava, was sentenced to 7 years in prison.

Richard Rubalcava, of Raleigh was arrested on June 18, 2020, by special agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF) and was charged by indictment with two counts of maliciously damaging or destroying, or attempting to damage or destroy, by means of fire or an explosive, any building or other real or personal property affecting interstate or foreign commerce. 

Michael F. Easley, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Louise W. Flanagan. The Raleigh Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel W. Smith and Susan B. Menzer prosecuted the case.

Wnctimes by Marjorie Farrington December 20, 2021