Dantoni Colbert, Edward Matthews, Arson, Tennessee 2024

Arsonists Behind Bars: Memphis Men Plead Guilty to String of Arsons

Two Memphis men, Dantoni Colbert, 35, and Edward Matthews, Jr., 33, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit arson and arson of three separate tax service businesses in Memphis, Tennessee.

The arson crimes occurred in February 2023, with Colbert and Matthews conspiring to set fire to three different buildings occupied by Washington Tax Services in the Memphis area on February 6 and 7, 2023.

On February 8, 2024, Matthews pled guilty to all four counts of the indictment before United States District Judge Thomas L. Parker. On May 15, 2024, Colbert also pled guilty as charged to all four counts before Judge Parker.

Both defendants face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years in prison and a maximum of up to 20 years in federal prison, plus up to a $250,000 fine, and up to 3 years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Memphis Fire Department.

“Arson is a dangerous crime that threatens the safety of the community—and in particular, the safety of first responders in our city. Individuals who commit arson of businesses in West Tennessee will continue to get the full attention of law enforcement,” said United States Attorney Kevin Ritz.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee thanks Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Wagner and Stephen Hall for their hard work in prosecuting this case.

For more information, please contact the Media Relations Team at USATNW.Media@usdoj.gov. Follow the U.S. Attorney’s Office on Facebook or on X at @WDTNNews for office news and updates.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtn/pr/memphis-men-plead-guilty-string-arsons-tax-service-businesses