A Philadelphia man has been convicted on charges of wielding a destructive device to set a fire on the porch of a Northeast Philadelphia home. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Jason Mattis, 51, could face a decade behind bars following his jury trial verdict. Mattis was found guilty of having an unregistered destructive device, as per the indictment from December 2022.
The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Eckert, dates back to an incident on July 1, 2022, where Mattis ignited and threw a device akin to a Molotov cocktail. Its explosion led to a fire not only on the targeted porch, but also the sidewalk, and street in front of the residence, all while occupants were inside the home. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in concert with the Philadelphia Fire and Police Departments, investigated the scene and confirmed the device’s status as an incendiary bomb.
In addition to the lengthy prison sentence, Mattis faces a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release after his incarceration, and a mandatory $100 special assessment. The incident, involving an incendiary device, transformed the porch into a potential tragedy.
While the ATF’s Arson and Explosives Task Force played a key role in the investigation, it was a collaborative effort involving various city departments. The sentencing date for Mattis has yet to be announced.
