Two Massachusetts men admitted in federal court on Friday to detonating a commercial-grade firework inside a Harvard Medical School laboratory building last November.
The Midnight Break-In
On the night of November 1, 2025, Logan David Patterson, 18, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 21, scaled construction scaffolding to enter the fourth floor of the Goldenson Building. Once inside the neuroscience wing, they placed a large firework in a wooden locker and ignited it.
- Impact: The blast was loud enough to be heard blocks away, but fortunately, no one was injured.
- Damage: While the locker was destroyed, the building’s structural integrity and sensitive lab equipment remained intact.
- Discovery: The pair was caught after surveillance footage was circulated; acquaintances at a nearby institute recognized them after the men reportedly shared a video of the explosion.
The Legal Fallout
Both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to damage property by means of an explosive.
| Category | Details |
| Max Potential Sentence | 5 years in federal prison & $250,000 fine |
| Prosecutor’s Stance | Recommending probation and restitution rather than jail time |
| Defense Narrative | Attributed the act to a “drunken prank” and youthful lapse in judgment |
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