Nashville Man Charged with Arson and Extortion
A Nashville man has been charged with a string of crimes, including arson and extortion, after he allegedly set fire to the Music City Garage in East Nashville and fired multiple rounds at On the Go Tires.
James Hayward Williams, 42, also known as Spanky, was charged with 11 federal offenses, including using Instagram messages to threaten to burn the Music City Garage and vehicles located on the property, with the intent to extort money from the owner.
Williams allegedly set fire to the Music City Garage two times during the early morning hours on December 22, 2018, and again on December 24th and 26th, in an effort to extort $30,000 from its owner.
The Metropolitan Nashville Fire Department (MNFD) responded and extinguished blazes at the business, including vehicles which had been set on fire.
Williams was also charged with possessing a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson pistol after having been convicted of a felony and firing multiple rounds from that pistol at On the Go Tires, in furtherance of an extortion attempt to collect $20,000 from a person associated with that business.
According to the complaint, multiple rounds were fired at the business and at a vehicle that was occupied by a young girl, narrowly missing her.
If convicted, Williams faces more than 100 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives; the MNPD Gang Unit and recently formed Crime Gun Unit; and the MNFD Fire Marshal’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
The charges in the criminal complaint are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Tennessee
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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