BOSTON, MA – Federal authorities have apprehended two young men accused of detonating fireworks inside a Harvard Medical School building. Dominick Frank Cardoza, 20, from Bourne, and Logan David Paterson, 18, from Plymouth, faced charges after an incident that prosecutors argue was far from a mere college prank.
Cardoza appeared in court alongside his family attorney, facing allegations of property damage and trespassing. The charges stem from an explosive device set off in a locker within the prestigious institution, known for its commitment to higher education.
Investigators assert that Cardoza and Paterson were fully aware of their actions. Surveillance footage reportedly shows the pair, faces obscured, near the medical school setting off what appeared to be a Roman candle.
According to U.S. Attorney Leia Foley, the suspects began their escapade around 2:30 a.m. on a Saturday. They allegedly climbed scaffolding to access the Golden Sun Building via the roof. After a fire alarm was triggered, the duo reportedly fled through a first-floor exit, shedding distinctive clothing items as they escaped.
Inside the building, investigators discovered the remnants of a cherry bomb that had exploded in a fourth-floor locker, posing a significant risk of injury to anyone nearby. The FBI noted that the night started with the pair partying at various colleges before heading to the Wentworth campus, where they allegedly boasted about their actions and showed a video to students and visitors.
Four witnesses came forward to law enforcement, providing evidence against the suspects. Despite this, Cardoza’s defense attorney argues the case should not be in federal court, questioning the jurisdiction based on Harvard’s federal funding status.
Both men have been released from custody under the condition that they stay away from Harvard properties and refrain from contacting each other.