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Gretna Brothers Face Five Years for Convenience Store Arson
Wael Hammad, 38, and Alaa Hammad, 31, brothers from Gretna, Louisiana, were sentenced to five years in prison for their involvement in the December 2011 arson of Fat City Discount, a convenience store located in Metairie, Louisiana.
According to court records, the Hammads faked an accidental fire in the kitchen area of their store and then filed an insurance claim for damages to their merchandise. The arson case was investigated jointly by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Jefferson Parish Fire Department, and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The case was prosecuted by Tony Gordon Sanders of the Violent Crimes Unit. ‘The defendants’ actions were not only reckless but also deceitful,’ said U.S. Attorney Dana Boente. ‘This sentence should serve as a warning to those who would seek to exploit the justice system through fraudulent means.’
On October 4, 2012, both defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring to and destroying by fire their convenience store. Judge Eldon E. Fallon sentenced them to five years imprisonment, one year of supervised release following imprisonment, and ordered $94,333.52 in restitution to their insurance company.
The Fat City Discount arson case is a prime example of the devastating consequences of insurance fraud. The Hammads’ actions not only caused significant damage to their store but also put the lives of their employees and customers at risk.
The community should be assured that the authorities will continue to vigilantly investigate and prosecute cases of insurance fraud and arson. The sentence handed down to the Hammads should serve as a deterrent to those who would seek to engage in similar activities.
As a result of this case, the community is safer, and the justice system has been upheld. The Gretna brothers’ sentence serves as a reminder that those who commit crimes will be held accountable for their actions.
The investigation and prosecution of the Hammads’ case were a collaborative effort between multiple law enforcement agencies. The ATF, Jefferson Parish Fire Department, and Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office worked tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Dana Boente commended the investigators and prosecutors who worked on the case, saying, ‘Their dedication and expertise were instrumental in securing the guilty plea and sentence in this case.’
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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