Terrorism task force investigates firebombing of GOP office

LA QUINTA – (INT) – Federal prosecutors have filed charges against a Palm Desert man for the May 31st firebombing of the East Valley Republican Women Federated (EVRWF) office in La Quinta.

Carlos Espriu, 23, was allegedly the suspect seen three times on surveillance video using a baseball bat to break windows at the EVRWF headquarters, lighting an improvised incendiary device constructed of three bottles and tossing it into the building.

The firebombing resulted in limited damage.

Law enforcement identified social media accounts believed belonging to Espriu, including a Twitter account that, three days before the EVRWF arson, tweeted: “I wanna go burn s… n get hit with tear gas.”

Espriu could face a 5-20 year sentence in federal prison if convicted.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Inland Empire Joint Terrorism Task Force.