Defendant Agrees to 50 years for Arson involving the Family Dollar Store

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – Anthony Paul Shaw pled guilty before U. S. District Judge Samuel H. Mays to three counts of arson announced David Kustoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. The Plea Agreement provides that the parties have agreed to a sentence of 50 years in prison, pending approval of The Court at sentencing. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 29, 2007.

According to the plea agreement, Shaw plead guilty to Counts One and Two of the Indictment charging him with arson resulting in death in violation of Title 18, USC, Section 844 (i). Shaw also agreed to plead guilty to Count Three of the Indictment charging him with arson resulting in personal injuries, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i). All three counts relate to the arson fire that destroyed the Family Dollar Store located at 3732 North Watkins in Memphis, Tennessee on June 15, 2003.

Shaw, 25, of Memphis, Tennessee was indicted on July 17, 2003 . According to the indictment, on June 15, 2003 Shaw maliciously damaged and destroyed by means of fire the Family Dollar Store located on Watkins Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee. The arson resulted in the deaths of Memphis Firefighters Lt. Trent Kirk and Pvt. Charles Zachary and injury to Firefighter Pvt. Tim Scott.

This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Tennessee Bomb and Arson Section, Memphis Fire Department Investigative Services, and Memphis Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Lawrence Webber is handling the prosecution this case on behalf of the United States.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

CONTACT: Leigh Anne Jordon, (901) 544-4231

Source: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives