A North Merrick man who plotted to detonate an explosive device outside the Nassau County Department of Social Services building has been sentenced to nine years in state prison, the Nassau County District Attorney announced.
James Luca, 47, was sentenced in Mineola after pleading guilty to Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the First Degree and Obstructing Governmental Duties by Means of a Bomb or Explosive. The sentence also resolves numerous additional felony cases involving mortgage fraud, identity theft, and forgery.
According to prosecutors, Luca attempted to carry out the attack during the early morning hours of September 17, 2024. Surveillance video showed Luca and a co-defendant driving to the Department of Social Services building on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, where Luca placed a 20-pound propane tank and a smaller camping propane tank at the entrance doors. A torch was positioned on top of the tanks as Luca attempted to ignite the device by throwing lit flares at it. The device failed to detonate, and the pair fled the scene.
The device was discovered later that morning by a department investigator, who immediately contacted police. The Nassau County Police Department’s Arson and Bomb Squad, along with local fire officials, evacuated the building and secured the homemade explosive. Investigators later recovered another propane tank near the scene and an abandoned vehicle containing additional road flares.
Luca and his co-defendant were arrested on October 3, 2024.
Prosecutors also said Luca admitted to placing and detonating an explosive device on his ex-wife’s vehicle at her North Merrick home in February 2023, shattering her windshield, and damaging her vehicle again in January 2024.
In addition to the violent offenses, Luca pleaded guilty to a series of financial crimes, including a mortgage fraud and identity theft scheme targeting a relative. Authorities said he forged loan documents and a deed to obtain a $410,000 mortgage, leaving the victim with more than $600,000 in debt. Prosecutors also said Luca accumulated more than $200,000 in unpaid credit card debt using stolen identities and fraudulently opened utility accounts at multiple East Meadow properties.
Luca was sentenced to nine years in prison followed by five years of post-release supervision. The case against his co-defendant remains pending.
Photo: NCPD.
