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Department of Justice United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley Western District of Virginia |
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CONTACT: Brian McGinn PHONE: 540-857-2974 FAX: 540-857-2179 EMAIL: Brian.McGinn@usdoj.gov www.usdoj.gov/usao/vaw |
TWO MORE DEFENDANTS IN WEEKEND SOFA OUTLET
ARSON CASE PLEAD GUILTY
Jason Varona And Sidney Terry Both Admitted Their Roles In The Fire
ROANOKE, VIRGINIA -- While Jay Aneja, the owner of the Weekend Sofa Outlet, remains a fugitive from justice, two more of his co-defendants have appeared in Federal Court and admitted to their involvement in an arson that caused over $800,000 worth of damage to the business, the building and the surrounding businesses.
Today in District Court, Jason Ronald Varona, 23 and Sidney Montre Terry, 25, both of Roanoke, pled guilty to charges related to their involvement in the arson. Terry pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, arson and using fire to commit another felony. Varona pleaded guilty to one count of misprision of a felony.
“Arson is a very dangerous crime which the federal government treats very seriously.
Three of the four men charged with the arson and related crimes have admitted their guilt and are awaiting sentencing,” United States Attorney Julia C. Dudley said today. “Today’s proceedings should serve as a wake-up call to those who would consider committing a crime such as arson. They will be brought to justice.”
The two men, along with Michael Antwan Lee, 44 and Jay Aneja, 47, were indicted on February 19, 2009 and charged with a variety of crimes related to an arson at the Weekend Sofa Outlet. In March, Lee pled guilty to one count of using fire to damage a building. Lee is scheduled to be sentenced on September 1 at 1:00 PM. Aneja has been a fugitive since the time of his indictment.
Weekend Sofa Outlet, Inc., was a business selling furniture from a space rented at 5327-D Williamson Road, Roanoke, Virginia. Aneja served as the Vice-President and Virginia Registered Agent. Aneja signed official business related documents, such as business licenses, building leases and signature cards for the Weekend Sofa Outlet checking account.
In July 2008, Aneja recruited Lee to set fire to the Weekend Sofa Outlet in order to collect insurance through the business’s carrier, Auto Owners Insurance Company. Aneja offered Lee money to set the fire. On August 2, 2008, Lee recruited Terry and Varona to help him set the fire, telling them they too would be paid for the arson.
Later that day, Lee, Terry and Varona went to the Weekend Sofa Outlet. The three gained entry to the business by using the key and security code provided to Lee by Aneja. The defendants loaded furniture for themselves, along with furniture they planned to sell on the street in Richmond, Va., into the box truck registered to Weekend Sofa Outlet. Aneja also provided keys to the box truck.
In addition to the furniture, the indictment claims that at the instruction of Aneja, Lee, Terry and Varona loaded specific business-related documents from the office into the box truck. While traveling on Interstate 64 on the way to Richmond, the box truck experienced engine problems and broke down. Lee called Aneja who picked up the three men on the highway and drove them back to Roanoke, leaving the loaded box truck on the side of the road. Aneja later arranged to have the box truck towed back to Roanoke.
When the group returned to Roanoke, Aneja dropped Lee and Terry off at a Hershberger Road restaurant before driving Varona to his home. Lee and Terry walked to a nearby convenience store, bought beer and cigarettes and then, once again using the key and security code provided by Aneja, entered the Weekend Sofa Outlet.
After spending several hours inside the business, Lee and Terry used an ignitable substance to set fire to several different locations inside the business. As they left, Lee activated the security system. The two walked back to the restaurant and took a cab to Lee’s residence.
As a result of the fire, the owner of the building leased by Weekend Sofa Outlet and its insurer incurred losses of approximately $407,000. Neighboring businesses and their insurers suffered loses in excess of $300,000. Weekend Sofa Outlet, Inc., has filed claims of loss of over $137,000.
Between September 2008 and November 2008, Aneja filed an insurance claim on behalf of Weekend Sofa Outlet in an attempt to recover approximately $137,000 in payment for damages to inventory as a result of the fire. The claims have not yet been paid.
At sentencing, Varona faces a maximum possible sentence of three years incarceration and/or a fine of up to $250,000. Terry faces a maximum possible sentence of five years incarceration and/or a fine of up to $250,000.
The investigation of the case was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Roanoke City Fire Department and the Roanoke City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jennie L. M. Waering is prosecuting the case for the United States.