KENOSHA, WI – A Milwaukee man is heading to federal prison for torching a Kenosha beauty salon during the unrest that followed the Jacob Blake shooting in 2021. Esmond King, 33, was sentenced Friday to 60 months – five years – by U.S. District Judge J.P. Stadtmueller for arson of a building used in interstate commerce, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i). The sentence also includes three years of supervised release and a hefty $271,000 restitution order to cover the damage he caused.
According to court documents, King broke into Mary’s Beauty Salon in the early hours of September 11, 2021. Once inside, he doused the office area with a flammable aerosol and set it ablaze. Kenosha Police Department officers caught King fleeing the scene and took him into custody. The Kenosha Fire Department arrived quickly, but not before the fire and smoke had spread, causing significant damage to the salon and neighboring businesses within the same building.
But the destruction wasn’t King’s only offense. As officers processed him, he reportedly threatened to kill them and their families – a chilling escalation that added to the severity of his crimes. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, led by U.S. Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad, prosecuted the case, emphasizing the commitment to protecting the community from such acts of violence and destruction.
“There is no excuse for the reckless and wanton destruction of property of innocent citizens and business owners,” Haanstad stated in a press release. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with our law enforcement and community partners to protect all who live and work in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.” The investigation was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Chicago Field Division, with assistance from the Kenosha Police and Fire Departments.
Jeffrey L. Matthews, Acting ATF Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Division, echoed Haanstad’s sentiment. “The investigation and prosecution of this individual as well as the sentence imposed illustrates the seriousness of this crime,” Matthews said. “ATF stands shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners and the United States Attorney’s office to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
Assistant United States Attorney Peter Smyczek handled the prosecution. The five-year sentence sends a clear message: deliberately targeting businesses and threatening law enforcement will not be tolerated. While the restitution won’t fully erase the damage, it offers some measure of relief to the owners and businesses impacted by King’s destructive act. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fallout from the 2021 unrest and the federal government’s commitment to pursuing justice for those affected.
Related Federal Cases
- David E. Polnitz Jr., Gunpoint Threat, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
- Michael A. Raskie, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
- Ronald J. Payne, High-Speed Flight, Wisconsin 2019 · California
- Tahjmalyk Porter, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Wisconsin 2024 · Wisconsin
- Deonte Turner, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Wisconsin 2024 · Alabama
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
