Man who killed neighbor’s cat now charged in Albuquerque Molotov attack

An Albuquerque man with a lengthy history of conflicts with his neighbors now faces federal charges after police say he threw a homemade firebomb at a neighbor’s window. Jonathan Griego is charged with arson, dangerous use of explosives, and criminal damage to property, court records show.

The neighbor being targeted told Albuquerque police she heard the boom and went outside, where she saw Griego appearing to prepare to throw another bottle, before appearing to catch on fire himself, according to the report.

He was later arrested after an hour-long SWAT standoff.

The incident was caught on security camera footage.

Griego has prior legal issues with neighbors dating back years. In 2021, he was arrested and pleaded guilty to shooting and killing his neighbor’s cat in front of his three-year-old son, according to court records. He was sentenced to a year of probation.

Back in February, his neighbor at his old apartment complex accused him of shooting her dog in the face with a BB gun. The dog in that case survived, and animal cruelty charges against Griego were dropped after a witness refused to appear in court.

A judge ruled to keep Griego in jail pending trial. His trial date has not been set. If convicted on the arson charge, Griego will have to serve a minimum of five years.