WASHINGTON - U.S. Attorney Jeffrey A. Taylor, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Cathy Lanier and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent In-Charge Edgar Domenich announced today that a 38-year-old Arizona man, Vasile Graure, was found guilty of multiple charges in connection with his commission of a near-fatal assault and arson at Good Guys Club, 2311 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, on November 3, 2007.

On November 20, 2008, after a six-day jury trial, a D.C. Superior Court jury found Graure guilty of: three counts of Assault with Intent to Kill While Armed (gasoline and a lighter); four counts of Assault with A Dangerous Weapon; Aggravated Assault While Armed (gasoline and a lighter); Mayhem While Armed; Arson; two counts of Burglary II; and Felony Destruction of Property. Graure will be sentenced by the D.C. Superior Court Associate Judge Robert Richter on January 13, 2009.

At trial, the government's evidence established that shortly before 8:00 p.m. on November 3, 2007, Graure was asked to leave the Good Guys Strip Club, for taking a photograph of one of the dancers, in violation of club rules. Graure then walked up Wisconsin Avenue, to a Chevron gas station where he purchased a two-gallon gas container, a lighter and gasoline before returning to the club. Upon his return, Graure was confronted by Vladimir Djordjevic, a 26-year-old manager at the club who struggled with Graure in an effort to get the gas can. Despite his efforts Graure succeeded in pouring gasoline all over the front of the club and Mr. Djordjevic before lighting the gasoline on fire. The fire quickly spread through the club and engulfed Mr. Djordjevic in flames. Before being able to douse the flames, Mr. Djordjevic suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns to 90% of his body, injuries which he continues to suffer from today. Graure fled the scene and attempted to evade police by retreating to a Day's Inn hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, where he self-treated his own serious burn injuries received in the fire. Despite the defendant's efforts, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) detectives ultimately identified him as the assailant through bank records and arranged for his apprehension in Virginia. Mr. Djordjevic nearly died of the burn injuries he received and continues today to fight for his life.

In announcing the jury's verdict, U.S. Attorney Taylor, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Lanier and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent In-Charge Domenich commended the work of MPD Detectives Frank Molino and Todd Gray, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agents Eric Pena and Vicky Houser, of the Arson Task Force, Detective Richard Espinosa of the MPD Financial Crimes Unit, MPD Second District Officer Robert Fennell, Technicians Carmen Pagan and Steve Griffin of the MPD Mobile Crime Unit, Officer Scott Wilson of the D.C. Fire Department, Detective Irv Ellman of the Alexandria City Police Department, Jeff Gray and Cleatus Spitznogle of the FBI Special Projects Unit, FBI Special Agent Viet Nyguen, Michelle Reardon and Allison Rees of the ATF Forensic Science Lab, and Agent Hugh "Chip" Betzner of the United States Secret Service. He also commended U.S. Attorney's Office Paralegal Specialist Kalisha Johnson-Clark, Thomas Royal, and Kimberly Smith, of the U.S. Attorney's Office Litigation Technology Section, and David Foster, Katina Adams, La June Thames and James Brennan of the U.S. Attorney's Office Victim Witness Unit. Finally, he commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Pat Martin and Kacie Weston, who investigated and prosecuted the case.