Yan Feng Sentenced

A devastating act of arson has landed a Daly City resident behind bars. Yan Feng, 42, was sentenced to 35 months of prison and three years of supervised release for starting a fire at the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco.

The sentence, handed down by the Honorable Maxine Chesney, United States District Judge, follows a guilty plea entered earlier this year. Feng pleaded guilty to a single count of what is commonly known as “offering violence to a foreign official,” in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 112(a).

According to the plea agreement and court records, Feng admitted that on New Year’s Day 2014, he started a fire at the Chinese Consulate located on Geary Boulevard in San Francisco, Calif. The fire caused significant damage to the building and put the lives of those inside at risk.

Feng was arrested by FBI and DSS Special Agents within 48 hours of starting the fire, on January 3, 2014, and has remained in federal custody ever since. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, and the San Francisco Police and Fire Departments.

The investigation and subsequent arrest of Feng demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting diplomatic missions and personnel. The sentence handed down by Judge Chesney reflects the seriousness of the crime and the need to hold individuals accountable for their actions.

United States Attorney Brian J. Stretch, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Special Agent in Charge John F. Bennett, and U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service Special Agent in Charge David Zebley announced the sentence. The case highlights the importance of cooperation between law enforcement agencies in preventing and investigating violent crimes.

The sentence of 35 months in prison and three years of supervised release serves as a reminder that violent crimes will not be tolerated and that those who engage in such behavior will be held accountable. As the community moves forward from this incident, it is essential to recognize the importance of respecting diplomatic missions and the rule of law.

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