Rioter Pleads Guilty To Setting Explosive Device At CVS During Riot

A Baltimore man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to making a destructive device in connection with Baltimore's riots last spring.

Donta Betts, 20, also pleaded guilty in a separate July case to discharging a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, prosecutors say.

“This is the sad reality confronting brave police officers who try to save lives in Baltimore,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Donta Betts engaged in arson, looting, assault and other mayhem during the Baltimore riots. He threw rocks at the police near Mondawmin Mall; tried to destroy police cars; stole from a pharmacy, a liquor store and a shoe store; and set off a homemade bomb. Ten weeks later, he tried to murder a woman over a $20 drug dispute, then he conspired to get her to sign a false affidavit. We caught him only because police and prosecutors spent many hours reviewing video and audio recordings. It may sound like a story arc from a TV series, but it is real life in Baltimore.”

In a plea agreement, Betts said he participated in looting at the CVS Pharmacy at 2509 Pennsylvania Ave. on April 27. By 5:44 p.m., rioters put propane cylinders and charcoal briquettes near the CVS entrance. Betts admitted he set a roll of toilet paper on fire and put it on top of the propane and charcoal, then squirted lighter fluid on top of it. He was seen doing this in photos published by local and national media. He then fled before an explosion there sent large metal fragments toward bystanders.

Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives also found he threw objects at police near Mondawmin Mall; attempted to top over transit and police vehicles; attempted to use flammable materials to destroy a police cruiser; and stole from several establishments, including the CVS and a Mondawmin Mall show store.

In the July case, he shot and attempted to kill an individual who had bought heroin from him. Betts said he was paid $20 for it when he expected $40. The victim in the southwest Baltimore shooting managed to drive away and was treated at Shock Trauma for injuries to her left leg. Betts was arrested days later and charged at the state level with attempted first-degree murder and related charges. While he was in jail, he called a friend and mentioned the shooting victim. He asked the friend to get a signed affidavit from the victim saying he didn't shoot her, while on the call admitting he did.

Under the agreement, Betts will face 14 to 16 years in federal prison. Sentencing is set for June 24.

Anyone with information on arsons from April 27, 2015 is asked to call the ATF's hotline at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (283-3473). The agency offers a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.