PHILADELPHIA, PA — Jason Mattis, 51, of Philadelphia, was found guilty Wednesday of possessing an unregistered destructive device, a serious charge with significant legal implications. The conviction follows a jury trial that examined the events of July 1, 2022, when Mattis used an incendiary device akin to a Molotov cocktail to attack a residence in Northeast Philadelphia’s Tacony area. The attack, carried out during the evening while residents were home, resulted in fires on the porch, sidewalk, and street.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted a thorough investigation, determining the device as an incendiary bomb under federal law. This case underscores the rigorous efforts by law enforcement, including the ATF’s Arson and Explosives Task Force, the Philadelphia Fire Department, and the Philadelphia Police Department, to ensure public safety and address threats posed by such devices.
Jason Mattis now faces a maximum potential sentence of 10 years in prison, alongside a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert prosecuted the case.
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