Baltimore Man Pleads Guilty To Charge Of Obstructing Firefighters During Riots

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — After last year’s unrest in Baltimore, federal investigators vowed to bring rioters to justice. On Wednesday, one man pleaded guilty, admitting he was trying to prevent firefighters from doing their job as the CVS at Penn and North went up in flames.

“We need to hold accountable the people who try to destroy this city,” said Rod Rosenstein, U.S. attorney.

A little more than 14 months ago — just days after Freddie Gray’s death — Baltimore turned to mayhem with a clash against officers, looting and fires, as the CVS at Penn and North burned.

On Wednesday, 22-year-old Gregory Butler pleaded guilty to obstructing firefighters. Butler admitted to slicing a fire hose with a knife as crews tried to put out the flames. Now, he could face up to five years in prison.