Two Massachusetts men were arrested and charged in connection with an alleged plan to damage a building on the Harvard Medical School campus using a large commercial firework. Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 20, of Bourne, each face one count of conspiracy to damage the Goldenson Building at Harvard Medical School by means of an explosive. Both men were taken into custody and are scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston.
According to charging documents, surveillance cameras recorded two individuals—allegedly Patterson and Cardoza—walking toward the Harvard Medical School campus around 2:23 a.m. on November 1, 2025. The footage showed them wearing face coverings and dark clothing. At approximately 2:24 a.m., they were seen lighting what appeared to be roman candle fireworks.
The documents state that by about 2:33 a.m., the suspects climbed over a chain-link fence into a construction area surrounding the Goldenson Building. They then climbed scaffolding to access the roof. Around 2:45 a.m., campus police received an alert about a fire alarm triggered by an explosion on the fourth floor of the Goldenson Building, which contains research laboratories for HMS’s Department of Neurobiology. Security footage reportedly captured both individuals visiting the fifth floor before leaving through a first-floor emergency exit.
Investigators determined that an explosive device—believed to be a large commercial firework—detonated inside a wooden locker in one of the fourth-floor laboratories. Analysis of the explosive is ongoing.
At approximately 2:57 a.m., Cardoza was seen on surveillance video sitting on a bench, removing his pants and placing them in a garbage bin.
Surveillance at Wentworth Institute of Technology later showed Patterson running between buildings and attempting to enter residential facilities before being let inside by another person. He was seen charging his phone near an attendant’s desk and talking on his cell phone shortly after entering.
Around 3:40 a.m., video allegedly showed Patterson leaving the building to meet up with Cardoza and another individual. After trying unsuccessfully to enter another residential building nearby, all three walked toward Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s campus along Huntington Avenue.
Witnesses stated that Patterson and Cardoza had been visiting Wentworth College for Halloween social activities.
The investigation remains ongoing.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley said: “The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
If convicted, each defendant faces up to five years in prison, three years supervised release, and fines up to $250,000; sentencing will be determined according to federal guidelines.
The announcement was made by United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge for FBI Boston Division; Denis Downing, Interim Chief of Harvard University Police Department; with assistance from Massachusetts State Police as well as Boston, Bourne, and Plymouth Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb is prosecuting this case.
