An Alabama man has been sentenced to almost five years in prison by federal authorities for setting his father’s house on fire and killing several pets.
After admitting to crossing state lines to commit arson, Tommy Harrison Sr., aged 34, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and two years of supervised release.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Indiana, video surveillance footage captured Harrison parking his vehicle beside the victim’s house, leaving the car, placing a container on the ground, and driving away. He returned around twenty minutes later and drove around the residence multiple times for about twenty minutes before reversing his car into the yard.
The inferno claimed the lives of both a feline and a canine.
According to U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers, the impact of the defendant’s actions was not limited to the direct victims but extended to the entire Connersville community. The defendant’s actions had caused immense upheaval to a family, shattered their sense of security, and disrupted the small town where his father held a significant position. The consequences of the defendant’s actions were devastating and far-reaching.
According to Myers, committing a violent crime across state lines is a grave offense that deserves a severe federal prison sentence. He gave credit to the FBI, Indiana Fire Marshal’s Office, and federal prosecutor for their unwavering dedication and skills in identifying and prosecuting the arsonist responsible for the crime. The culprit was successfully held accountable for their actions.
According to the statement, Harrison purchased spray paint on his drive from Alabama to Indiana and used it to deface the property with a racial slur.
