Jury Hands 64-Year-Old Ex-Girlfriend Torch in Violent Revenge Arson

WASHINGTON – A Superior Court jury delivered a guilty verdict against 64-year-old Quenton Jones, a Washington, D.C. resident who set his ex-girlfriend’s apartment on fire in a violent act of revenge.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, Jones was found guilty of arson, first degree burglary, felony threats, felony destruction of property, and multiple counts of felony contempt.

The jury delivered the verdict after a four-count indictment accused Jones of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, who he accused of cheating on him, on December 28, 2023.

On February 3, 2024, at approximately 3:00 am, Jones went to the victim’s apartment and wrote her name, personal phone number, and a list of sex acts on her front door with a black marker.

He then returned at approximately 6:00 am, set a piece of paper on fire, and shoved it under the front door, causing the door to catch fire. The residents of the apartment building were forced to evacuate due to the fire.

Jones was arrested later that morning and has been in custody since. Despite being in jail, he continued to contact the victim, making phone calls and writing her a handwritten letter right before trial.

In announcing the verdict, U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves commended the work of the Metropolitan Police Department, who investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Molly K. Smith and Monisha Rao from the Domestic Violence Unit of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.

Jones faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. The Honorable Erik Christian scheduled sentencing for September 11, 2024.