Federal authorities have announced charges against Ronald Watson, also known as Sarah Watson, Miranda Kyle, and Emily Smith, 28, of Kennesaw, Georgia. Watson faces allegations of arson and destruction of government property in connection with an incident at the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in downtown Atlanta during the summer of 2020.
“The right to peacefully protest never excuses acts of violence, like smashing windows and attempting to set fire to a government building,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Anyone who perpetrates or threatens violence against federal officers or property must be identified, found, and held accountable.”
FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown stated: “The First Amendment does not allow individuals to commit arson or destroy property. The FBI will continue to work with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our communities while respecting individuals’ First Amendment rights.”
Steven N. Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Georgia and Alabama, commented: “Those who attack our government institutions with fire and violence will be held accountable. Setting fire to a government building is not only an attack on bricks and mortar—it is an attack on the rule of law and the safety of our communities. Homeland Security Investigations, working alongside our law enforcement partners, will relentlessly pursue those who endanger lives and destroy public property. HSI remains committed to protecting the people, safeguarding government facilities, and ensuring that justice is served.”
According to court documents cited by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, on July 25, 2020—shortly before midnight—a crowd gathered outside the Atlanta ICE facility during a protest. Several masked individuals breached security fences and vandalized the building using rocks, cinder blocks, fireworks modified for use as weapons, Molotov cocktails, lighter fluid bottles, among other materials. The resulting damage exceeded $78,000.
Law enforcement officials discovered blood near a broken window inside the building as well as a lighter fluid bottle next to an unexploded Molotov cocktail. Investigators were able to identify Watson based on evidence collected after his felony conviction for assaulting a public safety officer in Oregon in January 2023.
Authorities say that prior to the incident at the ICE facility Watson posted anti-ICE messages on social media platforms—including images depicting violence toward ICE agents—and claimed responsibility for various actions such as throwing bricks and doxxing individuals.
Officials emphasized that these are charges only; Watson is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Homeland Security Investigations are leading the investigation into this case.
Anyone with information about Watson’s location is encouraged to contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 800-CALL-FBI. A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered for information leading to Watson’s arrest.
Further details can be obtained from the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone at (404) 581-6185. More information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.