Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBANY, NEW YORK – Bryan Fish, age 23, of Schenectady, New York, was sentenced today to 108 months in prison, to be followed by 3 years of supervised release, for making false declarations before a federal grand jury investigating an arson that killed four people in Schenectady.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C, Jaquith and Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict of the New York Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF).

In pleading guilty on May 31, 2017, Fish admitted that he lied under oath to a federal grand jury investigating the fire, which occurred on or about May 2, 2013 at 438 Hulett Street in Schenectady, New York, and caused the deaths of David Terry and three young children, seriously injured another child, and destroyed the building and the personal property inside.

Fish admitted that on May 24, 2013, he provided false testimony regarding his brother, whom Fish claimed: 1) drove him, Jennica Duell, and another man from Saratoga Springs to the vicinity of 438 Hulett Street in the early morning hours of May 2, 2013, 2) popped the trunk so that the other man could remove a gas can, and 3) later drove part of the way back to Saratoga Springs.

Fish is the fourth person to be sentenced for lying to the federal grand jury investigating the 438 Hulett Street fire.

• On March 17, 2016, Edward Leon, age 45, of St. Johnsville, New York, was sentenced to 10 years in prison following a jury trial.
• On September 12, 2016, Duell, age 29, of Schenectady, and the mother of the children who died, was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months in prison following a guilty plea.
• On May 31, 2017, Richard Ramsey, age 48, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was sentenced to 87 months in prison following a guilty plea.

United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith said: “Bryan Fish, Jennica Duell, Edward Leon, and Richard Ramsey lied to a grand jury investigating one of the worst crimes in the Capital Region in recent memory. The sentences reflect the horror of the underlying crime and the defendants’ disregard for the law and the innocent lives lost.  We will not let lies stand in the way of securing justice for the victims and their families, and of bringing to justice the person or people responsible for this deadly arson.  We remain committed to continuing the investigation until justice is done.”

ATF Special Agent in Charge Ashan M. Benedict said: “The fire in Schenectady at 438 Hulett Street caused death and destruction that will affect families forever.  Fish and the other individuals sentenced for lying to a federal grand jury will not prevent us from determining who was responsible for this heinous crime.  The victims and their families will not be forgotten.  I would like to extend my gratitude to the United States Attorney’s Office for prosecuting the case. I would also like to thank the Special Agents of ATF, the Schenectady Police Department and the Schenectady Fire Department for working tirelessly on this investigation.”

This case resulted from an ongoing investigation being conducted by the ATF, the Schenectady Police Department, and the Schenectady Fire Department. The case was prosecuted by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and Assistant United States Attorney Wayne A. Myers.

The ATF notes that there is a reward of up to a total of $40,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for the arson that occurred on May 2, 2013 at 438 Hulett Street in Schenectady, resulting in personal injury and death. All information will be treated confidentially and the callers will remain anonymous if requested. Anyone having information is encouraged to call ATF at 1-888-ATF-FIRE (1-888-283-3473), or email ATFTips@atf.gov, or contact ATF through its web site at www.atf.gov/contact/atf-tips. Tips may also be submitted to ATF through the “report it” app, available on both Google Play and the Apple App Store, or by visiting www.reportit.com.

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