Federal authorities have unsealed charges against Ronald Watson, also known as Sarah Watson, Miranda Kyle, and Emily Smith, in connection with the arson and destruction of government property at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in downtown Atlanta during the summer of 2020.
According to information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Watson, 28, of Kennesaw, Georgia, faces allegations related to an incident on July 25, 2020. That night, a crowd gathered outside the ICE building and some individuals breached fences surrounding the property. Masked individuals wearing dark clothing reportedly vandalized the building using rocks, cinder blocks, modified fireworks, Molotov cocktails, lighter fluid bottles, and other items. The damage caused exceeded $78,000. Law enforcement found blood near a broken window inside the building along with a lighter fluid bottle close to an unexploded Molotov cocktail.
Authorities said that although those involved tried to hide their identities, evidence collected after Watson’s January 2023 felony conviction for assaulting a public safety officer in Oregon led law enforcement to identify him as a suspect.
Watson is also alleged to have posted anti-ICE messages on social media before the attack. One post depicted an ICE agent about to be struck with a baseball bat. Other posts referenced “throwing bricks,” “doing other things not to be mentioned,” and “doxxing people” as examples of “taking action.”
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated: “The right to peacefully protest never excuses acts of violence, like smashing windows and attempting to set fire to a government building. Anyone who perpetrates or threatens violence against federal officers or property must be identified, found, and held accountable.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown commented: “The First Amendment does not allow individuals to commit arson or destroy property. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities while respecting individuals’ First Amendment rights.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Georgia and Alabama added: “Those who attack our government institutions with fire and violence will be held accountable. Setting fire to a government building is not only an attack on bricks and mortar—it is an attack on the rule of law and the safety of our communities. Homeland Security Investigations, working alongside our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue those who endanger lives and destroy public property. HSI remains committed to protecting the people, safeguarding government facilities, and ensuring that justice is served.”
Officials remind members of the public that these are only charges at this stage; Watson is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The case is being investigated by both the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Authorities are asking anyone with information about Watson’s whereabouts or details leading to his arrest to contact tips.fbi.gov or call 800-CALL-FBI. The FBI has offered up to $10,000 for information leading directly to his location and arrest.
For more details about this case or related matters from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
