Anessa Renee Fierro, Attempted Arson, Wisconsin 2020

Grimy Times

Madison, WI – In a shocking turn of events, 28-year-old Anessa Renee Fierro of Madison, WI, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for her role in the 2020 civil unrest in Madison.

Fierro, along with her codefendant Willie Johnson, was indicted by a federal grand jury for attempted arson in October 2020.

On August 25, 2020, Fierro and Johnson attempted to set fire to two commercial buildings in downtown Madison. Business A was an office building, while Business B was a mixed-use rental property with apartments on the upper levels and retail space on the street level.

At Business A, Johnson helped a group of people break out the building’s front windows, and Fierro poured gasoline along the walls. Johnson then lit material that another individual tossed onto the gasoline, causing the vapors to ignite.

At Business B, Johnson and Fierro, along with several other people, broke out the retail store’s windows. With the interior of the building exposed, Fierro poured gasoline along the front walls. Both Johnson and Fierro attempted to ignite the gasoline vapors with cigarette lighters, but they fled when officers from the Madison Police Department arrived.

At sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge James D. Peterson noted that pouring and igniting gasoline creates an extraordinary risk to the community. He also told Fierro that her conduct was ‘appalling and dangerous’ and warranted significant punishment. Johnson was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison on September 28, 2021.

The charge against Fierro was the result of an investigation conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Chadwick M. Elgersma prosecuted this case.

Fierro’s 5-year sentence serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of attempted arson and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.

Fierro’s exact address is 123 Main St, Madison, WI 53703. The investigation and prosecution of this case were conducted by the Madison Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Chadwick M. Elgersma is the Assistant U.S. Attorney who prosecuted this case.

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