CASPER, WY – Lorna Roxanne Green, 22, of Casper, Wyoming, stands accused of deliberately setting fire to a commercial building involved in interstate commerce. The young woman was arraigned today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kelly H. Rankin and entered a plea of not guilty. The feds allege she’s responsible for a blaze that could have easily spread, putting lives and property at risk.
The indictment, handed down by a federal grand jury in May, details the arson charge. While details of the specific business targeted haven’t been released, authorities confirm its involvement in the flow of goods across state lines, elevating the crime to a federal offense. Green’s actions, if proven, represent a direct attack on legitimate commerce and a brazen disregard for public safety.
If convicted, Green faces a stiff penalty. The minimum sentence is five years in federal prison, but she could receive up to twenty years behind bars. On top of imprisonment, she’s looking at a potential fine of up to $250,000, three years of supervised release following her prison term, and a mandatory $100 special assessment fee. A federal judge will ultimately determine the sentence, taking into account sentencing guidelines and other relevant factors.
The investigation into the arson was a joint effort between the Casper Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These agencies worked together to gather evidence and build a case against Green, demonstrating a coordinated response to a serious crime. The ATF’s involvement signals the use of accelerants or a particularly destructive method in the fire.
It’s important to remember that this is just the beginning of the legal process. An indictment is not a conviction. Lorna Roxanne Green is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial, scheduled for July 24, 2023, before U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson, will determine her fate. Grimy Times will be there to cover the proceedings.
Case number 23-CR-00066 will be closely watched. The Denver Field Division of the ATF is handling the federal aspects of the case. This incident serves as a stark reminder that even in smaller cities like Casper, federal crimes can have significant consequences. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, led by Nicholas Vassallo, is prosecuting the case.
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