Arsonist Sentenced to 84 Months in Prison

DAVENPORT, IA – In a disturbing case of arson, Gramann Richard Barnes, 44, formerly of Davenport, Iowa, was sentenced to 84 months in prison by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger. The sentence was handed down on January 26, 2017, following Barnes’ guilty plea to arson.

Barnes was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term and pay $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund. This harsh sentence serves as a reminder of the severity of Barnes’ actions, which put numerous lives at risk.

The case began on March 15, 2016, when the Davenport Fire and Police Departments responded to a duplex on Locust Street in Davenport. A victim reported earlier in the day that Barnes had assaulted the victim, injured a child, and caused the victim and child to flee the residence.

Upon returning to the residence, the victim discovered a strong gas odor and heat coming from the kitchen. The victim found the oven was glowing, the gas stove burners were on, and all the knobs were removed. Inside the oven was a roll of burning paper towels. The victim quickly located the knobs and turned off the stove and oven, preventing a potential disaster.

The investigation revealed that Barnes had intentionally placed a makeshift wick consisting of a paper towel rolled tightly and placed down inside the oven, where the flame for the gas burner was located. The investigators concluded that the knobs on the stove were removed and combustible materials consisting of paper towels were intentionally placed in the oven for the purpose of causing ignition, which would have likely resulted in a fire or explosion.

When Barnes left the scene, he stole a pick-up truck belonging to the victim’s father and fled to Texas. Barnes was arrested in Texas on April 5, 2016. After returning for a court appearance in Iowa, Barnes admitted he had rigged the apartment to explode. This devastating act of arson highlights the severity of Barnes’ actions and the importance of the sentence handed down by Judge Ebinger.

This matter was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Davenport Fire Department, and the Davenport Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa. For more information, contact Rachel J. Scherle at 515-473-9300 or Rachel.Scherle@usdoj.gov