“Let that bitch burn!” Man caught on FB live setting fires during riot sentenced to prison

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PHOTO CREDIT: Jamie Germando / Democrat and Chronicle

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – On Monday, Javon Hardy, 25, of Rochester, NY, who pleaded guilty to rioting, was sentenced to serve 12 months in prison. Hardy was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $14,504.

“Javon Hardy is one of 16 defendants charged in connection with violent protests that occurred in Rochester and Buffalo during a period of civil unrest in 2020, and the first to be sentenced to prison,” said U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. “While my Office will zealously protect every individual’s right to free speech, we will also zealously protect public safety by holding law breakers accountable for their criminal conduct.”

According to documents, on May 30, 2020, Hardy, along with numerous other individuals, participated in a public protest near the Public Safety Building located at 185 Exchange Street. At various times during the protest, the gathering turned violent, resulting in significant property damage and looting.

During the course of his rioting, Hardy approached a mobile office trailer located at the corner of Court Street and Exchange Boulevard. After walking up the stairs to the trailer, the defendant reached through a broken window and lit an object inside the trailer which started the fire. Hardy exclaimed “Let that bitch burn,” and “If it’s not on fire, I didn’t do my job.” The burning of the trailer and defendant’s statements were captured on Facebook Live, which streamed the burning of the trailer on the internet.

The mobile office trailer was completely destroyed by fire.

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