Two men pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court in Boston to charges related to a small explosion at a Harvard Medical School research building last fall. Logan David Patterson, 18, of Plymouth, and Dominick Frank Cardoza, 21, of Bourne, each entered guilty pleas to one count of conspiracy to damage a building by means of fire and an explosive. Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 4.

According to court records and an FBI affidavit, the incident took place in the early morning hours of Nov. 1, 2025, at the Goldenson building in Boston’s Longwood medical area. The explosion occurred on the fourth floor of the building, which houses neurobiology research laboratories. Although the blast prompted a large emergency response and caused some alarm on campus, there were no injuries and only minor property damage.

FBI Special Agent Erin O’Brien detailed a timeline of the events. Patterson and Cardoza were seen on surveillance footage arriving in the area after 2 a.m. that night, dressed in distinctive clothing including masks and casual attire. They were first recorded setting off Roman candle fireworks outside the building. Shortly afterward, footage showed the two climbing a fence and entering a construction zone before accessing scaffolding and getting onto the roof.

At 2:45 a.m., authorities received reports of the explosion. Following the blast, the men left the premises separately. Video showed Cardoza discarding plaid pajama pants he had been wearing shortly after fleeing.

Defense attorney Kevin J. Reddington described both men as "good kids" from supportive families who made poor choices, expressing hope that the court will impose a non-incarceration sentence. Federal prosecutors have stated they will recommend sentences within guidelines that do not require imprisonment, along with three years of supervised release and full restitution to Harvard Medical School.

A representative for Harvard Medical School did not respond to requests for comment.

The incident attracted national attention amid heightened scrutiny over campus climates at elite universities. It occurred during a period when Harvard and other institutions have been the subject of political debate, including accusations from the Trump administration regarding campus antisemitism, allegations Harvard has vigorously denied.

A lawyer representing Cardoza was not immediately available for comment.