Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
New Orleans Man Pleads Guilty to Arson
NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Terrence Coe, 45, of New Orleans, pleaded guilty on March 19 to arson, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 844(i).
According to court documents, on Dec. 24, 2022, Coe set fire to merchandise inside of Walmart located in Hammond. On Dec. 27, 2022, Coe turned himself into the Hammond Police Department and admitted that he started the fire while trying to open a package that he wanted to steal, with a lighter.
At sentencing, Coe faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years up to a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years, up to a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release and a $100 mandatory special assessment fee.
U.S. Attorney Evans praised the work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Troy Bell of the Violent Crime Unit.
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