By Associated Press - Wednesday, March 17, 2021

A man charged with playing a role in the burning of a Providence police cruiser during a violent night in the city last summer has reached a plea deal that could send him to prison, according to court records.

As part of the government’s agreement with Nicholas Scaglione, 31, of Cranston, federal prosecutors would ask the judge to determine the appropriate offense level and impose a sentence within the terms of sentencing guidelines for that offense level, The Providence Journal reported.

The charge of malicious attempt to damage or destroy a vehicle carries a maximum penalty of up to 20 years in prison.

Under the plea agreement, which he signed in late February, Scaglione agrees he “ignited a Providence Police Department cruiser” and the burning of the cruiser created a “substantial risk of death or serious bodily injury” to other people.

Scaglione’s lawyer, William Dimitri, did not comment other than to say that a plea hearing was being scheduled for March 25.

The cruiser was torched in the early morning hours of June 2 as a crowd rampaged outside the Providence Place mall. Prosecutors allege Scaglione squirted a flammable liquid into the vehicle, causing the fire to intensify.

Another man also faces charges in the case.

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This story has been corrected to reflect that the suspect is 31, not 30.

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