Bryan Fish Indicted for Lying in Hulett Street Arson Probe

ALBANY, NEW YORK — Bryan Fish, 22, of Schenectady, is facing federal charges for allegedly lying under oath during a grand jury probe into a deadly 2013 arson that killed four people, including three children, in a fire that ripped through a home on Hulett Street.

Fish was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christian F. Hummel, where he pleaded not guilty to three counts of making false declarations. He remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for Monday, October 24 at 1:30 p.m. The indictment, unsealed today, centers on sworn testimony Fish gave on May 24, 2013, just weeks after the fire that destroyed 438 Hulett Street.

The fire, which erupted on May 2, 2013, claimed the lives of David Terry and three young children, left another child with serious injuries, and reduced the building and its contents to ash. Federal prosecutors allege Fish lied about key details, including the identity of the person who drove him, Jennica Duell, and Robert Butler from Saratoga Springs to the scene, and the conversations surrounding the trip.

Count One accuses Fish of falsifying testimony about the driver and the stated reason for the trip. Count Two alleges he lied about that individual’s presence and role during the fire, as well as a fabricated alibi. Count Three claims Fish gave false information on how he arranged the ride on the day of the arson. Each count carries a maximum 5-year prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. If convicted on all counts, Fish faces up to 15 years behind bars and a $750,000 fine.

The investigation remains active and is being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Schenectady Police Department, and the Schenectady Fire Department. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne A. Myers are prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Richard S. Hartunian and ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict made the announcement.

ATF is offering a reward of up to $40,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the arson. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473), emailing ATFTips@atf.gov, visiting www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips, or using the ‘report it’ app on Google Play or the Apple App Store. The charges are allegations; Fish is presumed innocent until proven guilty.