Molotov Cocktails Earn an Ocala Man Nearly Five Years in Federal Prison
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II today sentenced Tommy Lee Holt (27, Ocala) to four years and seven months in federal prison for possession of an unregistered destructive device. Following his prison term, Holt is ordered to serve three years of supervised release.
According to the plea agreement, on November 5, 2019, Holt manufactured eight “Molotov cocktails” using glass bottles filled with gasoline. All qualified as destructive devices and were subject to registration requirements under federal law. After illegally manufacturing the devices, Holt took them to a Marion County branch of the State of Florida’s Department of Children and Families. Once there, Holt lit the wicks on the destructive devices and unsuccessfully attempted to start a fire by throwing one at the building. When apprehended by police, Holt had a lighter clenched in his right hand and his clothing wreaked of gasoline.
“ATF’s primary focus is protecting the public from crimes involving firearms including the unlawful possession of unregistered destructive devices”, said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the City of Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar Jr.
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