A Disgusting Display of Depravity

A East Longmeadow resident was charged Wednesday April 17, 2020 with attempted arson on a Boston area Jewish assisted living facility. Word has broken he is now released on home confinement. This call made by Judge Katherine Robertson of the US District Court for the District of Massachusetts. US Attorney Steven Breslow said Robertson’s ruling, “appears to have been greatly influenced by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

Breslow ardently opposes this ruling, and feels it to be erroneous. This alleged perpetrator remains a danger to society, having committed this crime of mass severity. Most would agree that suspect John Michael Rathbun, 36, is a dangerous offender. Rathbun was charged in a Springfield Federal court with two counts of attempted arson.

Believed to have been involved in online white supremacist chat groups, he had planned this attack for quite some time. Prosecutors say they, “will find, investigate and aggressively prosecute anyone engaged in such mayhem.” Also, claiming the evidence is mounting against him.

“As alleged, John Rathbun placed a homemade incendiary device near the entrance of a Jewish assisted living facility, located within a short distance of three Jewish temples, a Jewish private school, and a Jewish community center, this case highlights the very real threat of racially-motivated, violent extremists and make no mistake, the FBI will use every tool available, along with expertise and skills of our partners to identify, assess and disrupt threats like this.” Joseph R. Bonavolonta, Special Agent for the FBI’s Boston unit.

Rough Week for Community Safety

Though this story has deep racial undertones, the narrative needs shifting. It is not just violent white supremacists being released from custody over COVID-19 fears. Florida inmate, Joseph Edward Williams, 26, was arrested on Monday with second-degree murder charges. Williams fatally shot a man on March 20, according to the Hillsborough Police Department. Bigger news is he had been released due to COVID fears, and allegedly killed someone the next day.

In British Columbia, Canada, a South Okanagan man claims he was released early to reduce the jailhouse population. This was a decision in the wake of an inmate who contracted COVID-19. Thankfully, this 60-year-old unidentified inmate is not deemed a danger to society. He was only serving a short sentence for a non-violent crime, and was set for release soon.

Additionally, Timothy Singleton, 31, of Houston, TX was charged with beating up his girlfriend and her grandmother. He was released two weeks ago on a $50 bail, also connected with COVID-19. Singleton now has a warrant out for his arrest, and he is deemed a danger to the public. This is becoming a trend, as one can clearly see.

If all inmates are at a risk level of the prisoner from British Columbia, one could understand it. However, in cases similar to these other three offenders, they are at a higher risk level. So a discussion needs to be had, do we keep prisoners in jail and take necessary precautions? Or, do we let these offenders remain in home confinement?

Back to John Michael Rathbun

Rathbun faces more charges than just attempted arson. Namely, unlawful damage to property, transportation of explosive devices, and a host of separate civil offenses. His charges could land him 10 to 20 years imprisonment, and 3 to 6 years supervised release. Not to mention, he could be paying a hefty sum of $250,000 to $500,000.

If not acquitted, he will soon back in prison. He could be there for a long time, unless another pandemic grants him an early release. Is the life of a criminal worth more than public health and safety? It looks like this is what our judicial mindset is, and it’s a dangerous game to play.