Chicago Man Sentenced for Setting Fire to FBI Guard Station
A Chicago man, James P. Lofton, 46, has been sentenced to 22 months of time served for setting fire to an FBI guard station while a federal contractor was inside. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Manish Shah. Lofton has been in custody and receiving mental health treatment since his arrest.
According to federal prosecutors, Lofton made racially charged death threats and threatened to burn an FBI guard alive in October 2022. He allegedly said, “Bitch, I’m going to burn you, and everyone is going to die. You f*cking Mexicans are going to burn and die.” Following the threat, Lofton was interviewed by FBI agents, officers from the Federal Protective Service, and CPD but no charges were initially filed.
However, weeks later, Lofton carried out his threat by walking to the FBI’s West Side headquarters, dousing a jacket in gasoline, tying it to the guard booth’s call box, and setting it on fire with the guard inside. The blaze caused $3,900 in damage, but the guard managed to escape unharmed.
FBI task force officers apprehended Lofton about two blocks from the bureau’s field office after searching the area.
Both the prosecution and defense acknowledged that Lofton’s actions were a result of his untreated schizoaffective disorder. His defense attorney mentioned in a sentencing memorandum that Lofton had a history of hospitalizations and suicide attempts, emphasizing the need for psychiatric medication which he had requested from the FBI and hospital staff prior to the incident.
Despite the seriousness of the attack, Lofton’s lifelong struggle with schizophrenia was recognized by the government. They noted his recent rehabilitation and stabilization in a structured mental health program.
As part of his sentence, Lofton will serve three years of supervised release, pay $3,900 in restitution, and is prohibited from entering any FBI property. The prosecutors deemed this sentence appropriate to hold Lofton accountable while supporting his ongoing recovery.
