Arizona Man Indicted For Attempted Arson At ICE Warehouse Facility
A federal grand jury has indicted Gerardo Mendoza-Acoltzi of Avondale on charges that he attempted to set fire at the lobby of an ICE warehouse in Surprise, Arizona.[1]
Prosecutors charged Mendoza-Acoltzi with malicious damage to federal property and willful depredation against U.S. property.[1] Federal authorities say attempted arson of federal property carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.[1] Mendoza-Acoltzi was arrested on May 7, 2026, according to prosecutors.[1]
On February 21, 2026, a window was broken and lobby window shades were set ablaze at the ICE warehouse facility in Surprise, prosecutors said.[1] Surveillance footage allegedly shows Mendoza-Acoltzi using a propane tank as a battering ram and as a torch to start the fire, and arranging rocks outside the building to spell an anti-ICE message.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On February 21, 2026, a window was broken and lobby window shades ignited at an ICE warehouse facility in Surprise, Arizona.
- A federal grand jury indicted Gerardo Mendoza-Acoltzi of Avondale on counts of malicious damage to federal property and willful depredation against U.S. property.
- Surveillance footage allegedly shows Mendoza-Acoltzi using a propane tank as a battering ram and torch to start the fire and arranging rocks to spell an anti-ICE message.
- Mendoza-Acoltzi was arrested on May 7, 2026, and prosecutors say attempted arson of federal property carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time