
Former Shipyard Worker Pleads Guilty to Arson
Aboard the USS Miami
Contact: Thomas E. Delahanty II
United States Attorney
Tel: (207) 780-3257
Portland, Maine: United States Attorney Thomas E. Delahanty II announced today that
Casey James Fury, 24, formerly of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, waived indictment earlier
today before U.S. District Judge George Z. Singal in Portland and pleaded guilty to an
information charging him with two counts of arson on and around the USS Miami on May 23
and June 16, 2012.
The Miami is a United States Navy Los Angeles Class attack submarine undergoing an
overhaul at the U.S. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY). Fury was employed as a painter and
sandblaster at PNSY until his arrest on July 23, 2012. He has been detained since his arrest.
According to the U.S. Attorney, Fury admitted in open court that he willfully and
maliciously set a fire on the Miami on May 23, 2012, which placed the lives of people on and
around the submarine in jeopardy. Miami crew members and firefighters from the PNSY Fire
Department and surrounding communities battled the May 23rd fire for about 12 hours, finally
extinguishing it on the morning of May 24th. At least five first responders suffered injuries. Fury
also pleaded guilty to setting a second fire in the dry dock area below the Miami on June 16th,
which was quickly extinguished and caused no injuries.
The first arson charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. The second arson
charge carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The maximum fine for each count is
$250,000 or the cost of repairing or replacing any property damage, whichever is greater. Fury
will be sentenced after completion of a pre-sentence report by the U.S. Probation Office.
According to the plea agreement, the parties stipulated that the loss amount was between
$200 and $400 million for purposes of calculating the advisory sentencing guideline range under
the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The agreement also states that the stipulated loss amount may
not reflect the final cost of repairing the damage done to the USS Miami. The parties agreed to
recommend a federal prison sentence of between 188 and 235 months.
This case was investigated by the agents of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service with
assistance of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
PRESS ALERT: The U.S. Attorney will hold a press conference regarding the plea at
12:00 noon today at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 100 Middle Street, in Portland. The press
conference will be video-conferenced to the U.S. Attorney’s office located at 202 Harlow Street,
in Bangor. Members of the press in the northern part of the State may attend in Bangor.





