Montgomery County Man Sentenced to 16 Years
For Burning Down His Business
PHILADELPHIA - Michael Giamo, 31, of Huntingdon Valley, PA, was sentenced today to
16 years for conspiring to burn down his auto repair shop, One Source Motors, on May 24, 2010, in
Philadelphia. On March 1, 2012, a federal jury found Giamo guilty of mail fraud, conspiracy to use
fire to commit mail fraud, using fire to commit mail fraud, maliciously damaging or destroying by
fire a building used in interstate commerce, false statements to federal investigators, and obstruction
of justice. Giamo conspired with another individual (charged elsewhere) to burn down the business
in order to collect the insurance proceeds. In the aftermath of the fire, Giamo collected more than
$127,000 in insurance proceeds, lied to investigators and attempted to destroy incriminating records.
The co-conspirator, Isael Kniestedt, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy and was sentenced, in August,
to 90 months in prison. Today’s sentence was announced by United States Attorney Zane David
Memeger and Special Agent-in-Charge Sheree L. Mixell with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms, and Explosives.
In addition to the prison term, U.S. District Court Judge Michael M. Baylson ordered Giamo
to pay restitution in excess of $200,000.
“Arson for profit is an egregious crime that calls for serious punishment,” said Memeger. “As
illustrated at trial, this defendant also obstructed justice by destroying evidence during the
investigation. This sentence should send the message that those who engage in this serious and
extremely dangerous criminal conduct will face substantial prison terms.”
“ATF considers the act of arson to be a violent crime. Intentionally set fires have the
potential for significant property damage and can lead to the loss of life”, said Mixell. “We will
aggressively target arsonists, and those who profit from the crime, for federal prosecution.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Mark B. Dubnoff
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE Contact: PATTY HARTMAN
EASTERN DISTRICT, PENNSYLVANIA Media Contact
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street 215-861-8525
Philadelphia, PA 19106
COPIES OF NEWS MEMOS AND RELATED DOCUMENTS CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT
HTTP://www.justice.gov/archive/usao/pae
