Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SAVANNAH, GA: Jonathan Shane Culbreth, 20, was charged with arson yesterday by a federal grand jury sitting in Savannah, Georgia.  According to the Indictment, Culbreth maliciously damaged and destroyed a building at 102-118 West Barnard Street in Glennville by starting a fire on June 5, 2016.  The fire blazed through several downtown businesses and required the efforts of nearly a dozen different agencies to suppress over the course of several hours. 

 

If convicted of arson, Culbreth will face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison, a maximum of 20 years of imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, mandatory restitution, and three years of supervised release.  Culbreth is currently being held without bond at the Tattnall County Jail.  His initial appearance in federal court has not yet been scheduled. 

 

United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver emphasized that the Indictment against Culbreth is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt.  Culbreth is entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove his guilt of the charge in the Indictment beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

The fire was investigated by the ATF, the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office, the Tattnall County Fire Department, the Glennville Police Department, the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Long County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant United States Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.  Any questions should be directed to First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.