James Hayward Williams, Arson & Extortion, Tennessee 2019

Nashville Man Charged with Arson and Extortion

A Nashville man has been charged with 11 federal offenses related to the burning of the Music City Garage in East Nashville and a shooting at On the Go Tires in January 2019.

James Hayward Williams, also known as Spanky, 42, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged with 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.

The defendant 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 December 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 also faces charges for firing multiple rounds from a semi-automatic pistol at On the Go Tires in an effort to extort $20,000 from a person associated with the business.

During the shooting at On the Go Tires, 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.

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