Suspect who threw Molotov cocktail at Railroaders Memorial Museum takes plea
Jabateh pleads guilty to lesser charges, gets 25 days to 2 years
Trending
HOLLIDAYSBURG -- A Clifton Heights man who threw a Molotov cocktail at a railcar doused in gasoline outside the Railroaders Memorial Museum in May 2025 was sentenced Friday morning to 25 days to two years less one day in the Blair County Prison after pleading guilty to the misdemeanor charges against him.
Ian Ansumana Jabateh, 24, was initially facing two felony counts of criminal attempt - criminal mischief, single felony counts of criminal attempt - arson, arson of historic resource and risking a catastrophe and single misdemeanor counts of criminal mischief, institutional vandalism, recklessly endangering another person and DUI - first offense.
Appearing alongside defense attorney Joseph Addink for a plea hearing before Judge Jackie Atherton Bernard, Jabateh pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor counts against him in exchange for the sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Dani McCormick told Bernard that the Railroaders Museum agreed with the deal. She then requested Jabateh pay $3,780 in restitution to the Museum for the damage caused and to have no contact with them.
In explaining the case, Addink said Jabateh "suffers from schizoaffective disorder, which was revealed through this incident."
When Bernard asked Jabateh how he was addressing his mental health, Jabateh said he was in therapy and it "helps a lot." He told Bernard there hadn't been any further incidents since the one at the museum.
"You have to make sure your mental health is taken care of because incidents like this are not welcome in our community," Bernard said.
Bernard then asked Addink how long Jabateh would need to pay the restitution, to which Addink said Jabateh would pay the amount in full that day. She subsequently accepted the plea deal and sentenced Jabateh to 25 days to two years less one day in the Blair County Prison.
Jabateh was incarcerated in lieu of $500,000 bail since his arrest May 10, 2025, and, as he was afforded credit for time served, Addink said Jabateh did not need to return to the prison.
The case was filed against Jabateh after he was spotted the morning of May 10, 2025, in the area of Station Medical Center on Ninth Avenue setting things on fire and igniting Molotov cocktails. When police arrived, Jabateh was standing near the driver's side door of his vehicle and throwing rocks at the windows of the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Jabateh was subsequently taken into custody by police, who noted his intoxication.
Through the investigation, police learned that Jabateh set a pair of shoes on fire along the 1500 block of Ninth Avenue before driving erratically in the Station Mall McDonald's drive-thru. While in the drive-thru, he attempted to light a paper towel on fire and insert it into a glass bottle but was unsuccessful.
Police reported that Jabateh exited the drive-thru and drove east through the parking lot until he reached the Harry Bennett Memorial Roundhouse, where he threw a Molotov cocktail at a counterweight rail car he had previously doused in gasoline. Jabateh then got back into his vehicle, drove onto a curb and exited the vehicle to throw rocks at the museum. Police credited a bystander for extinguishing multiple small fires before they grew out of control.
Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.