Related Federal Cases
Double Arsonist Gets 5 Years Behind Bars
Lennie Brown, a 23-year-old resident of New Orleans, Louisiana, was sentenced to 60 months of incarceration by United States District Court Judge Susie Morgan for two arsons that were committed in Gentilly in 2010, announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.
Brown had previously pleaded guilty to two arson counts, one count of conspiracy to commit arson, conspiracy to use a destructive device, possession of a destructive device, and manufacturing a destructive device on May 11, 2011.
The Fuel Zone gas station/convenience store was the victim of two separate acts of arson in June of 2010. According to court documents, Larry Moses offered Brown $1,500.00 cash to maliciously start a fire inside the store.
On the evening of June 5, 2010, Moses and Brown purchased a plastic squeeze bottle and filled it with gasoline. They then drove their vehicle to a parking lot adjacent to the Fuel Zone. Before entering the Fuel Zone store, Brown called Moses’ cell phone so that Moses, who remained in the getaway vehicle, could hear what was happening while Brown was inside the store.
Surveillance video showed Brown, wearing a motorcycle helmet to disguise his identity, entered the store and proceeded to spray gasoline onto the contents of shelves down one of the store aisles. Brown started the fire using a lighter and exited the store as the fire erupted. Brown ran back to the getaway vehicle and Moses quickly drove away from the scene.
In the days following the June 5th arson, Moses informed Brown that he would not be paid until he committed a second more destructive fire at the Fuel Zone store but increased his offer to $3,000.00. Brown then hired Michael Collins to assist him in a second act of arson. Moses instructed Brown that for this second arson, the fire should be started near the store’s cash register area.
U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente announced the sentence, stating that Brown’s actions were a serious threat to public safety. The sentence reflects the severity of the crimes and the need to hold individuals accountable for their actions.
Brown’s sentence will be served in a federal prison, and he will also be subject to supervised release upon his release. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New Orleans Police Department.
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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