Travis County Democratic Party wins $2.2 million judgment against man who bombed headquarters in 2021

Ryan Faircloth, who was sentenced to six years in prison last May for bombing his Austin office in September 2021, has been handed a judgment worth more than $2.2 million by a district court judge. The ruling was made in favor of the Travis County Democratic Party (TCDP) and three individuals affected by the attack.

TCDP President Katie Naranjo, Executive Director Cynthia Van Maanen, and then-Director of Special Projects Brian Stoller were affected by the attack that saw a fire breakout at the TCDP headquarters located at 1311 E. Sixth St. Employees of nearby businesses called 911 and put out the flames with a fire extinguisher. The arson caused thousands of dollars in damages according to the TCDP report.

The Austin Fire Department in the following days along with the FBI made an arrest connecting Faircloth to the blazing inferno, leading to his prosecution of arson and carrying a prohibited weapon. His prosecution was settled last January, as he pleaded guilty in his plea deal that he “targeted political party offices inside the building because he opposed current government policies (and positions he believed were being taken by the Democratic Party).”

A judge subsequently sentenced him to a six-year jail term and ordered him to pay $12,472.84 in restitution and a $5,000 fine in May 2022. However, the latest judgment for $2,239,102.34 is issued against him.

TCDP noted that it is vital to hold accountable anyone who tries to use violence against the government, elections, and political parties. They started this lawsuit to protect voters, volunteers, and campaign workers across Texas from any future attacks. Furthermore, all possible domestic terrorists have been warned to avoid violence, as it will not be tolerated as a form of political participation.

“The target of this attack was not just an office or a building,” Van Maanen said in a statement. Texas is now a better place, thanks to the ruling that has been handed down against Ryan Faircloth.

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