United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

LOCAL MEN FACE FEDERALARSON CHARGES

FORT WORTH, Texas — The second of two individuals charged in a criminal complaint with arson of a business stemming from an arson at a business in Arlington, Texas, last month, made his initial appearance today in federal court in Fort Worth, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper. Motaz Wasif Amreya, 29, appeared this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Bleil for his initial appearance. Yesterday, his co-defendant, Ibrahim K. Ohwib, 27, made his initial appearance. Both have been detained pending a detention hearing set for tomorrow for 11:00 a.m. before Judge Bleil.

The complaint charges that on January 8, 2008, the defendants maliciously damaged and destroyed, by means of fire and explosive material, the building located at 2020 Mansfield Webb Road in Arlington, Texas, which was used in interstate commerce and contained a business that operated in and affected interstate commerce, in violation of 18 U.S.C. Section 844(I). This felony offense carries a maximum statutory sentence of not less than five years nor more than 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and restitution.

According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, on January 8th, 2008, at 1:21 a.m. Arlington, Texas, Fire Department firefighters responded to an incendiary type fire at a strip center, located at 2020 Mansfield Webb Road in Arlington, that housed a convenience store, donut shop, beauty salon as well as several unoccupied suites. The main damage to the building occurred in the convenience store, Discount Food Mart, located in the east end of the building.

Firefighters noted a strong odor of gasoline while fighting the fire and two gasoline cans and three Molotov cocktail devices were found in the parking lot of the building. A large hole was broken through the front window of the donut shop located one suite west of the convenience store and a hammer was found on the inside floor of that store. Fire investigators took samples from inside the convenience store which have since been identified as containing gasoline. In addition, investigators also took into evidence a burned security system digital video recorder (DVR), which smelled strongly of gasoline. Motaz Wasif Amreya owns Discount Food Mart and Ibrahim K. Owhib is an employee of the store.

The fire caused more than $150,000 in damage to the building and contents of Discount Food Mart. Additional businesses housed in the strip center sustained smoke and water damage and the donut shop was required by the Health Department to destroy their entire food supply.

Amreya stated that cash bags were taken from the scene and that he was at home asleep during the fire and was awakened by the fire dispatch officer at approximately 5:00 a.m. when he was notified of the fire.

The affidavit further states that forensic examination of the DVR files shows Motaz Amreya and Ibrahim Owhib entering the Discount Food Mart at approximately 1:00 a.m. In the video, Owhib is shown pouring liquid from two red gas cans over a large area of the store, including its retail products, the cash register, and directly onto the recovered DVR which was kept behind the front counter. The video further shows Amreya manufacturing Molotov Cocktails. The video shows the defendants leaving the store with the Molotov Cocktails and gas cans at approximately 1:19 a.m. and locking the door. The Arlington fire Department received a call at 1:21 a.m. from someone in the area who reported a loud explosion and the sound of glass breaking. The caller saw the same type of car that Amreya drives racing from the fire.

The affidavit further states that Amreya was seven months delinquent in his rental payments for Discount Food Mart and was to meet with the building owner the morning of the fire to pay the delinquent amount.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the excellent investigative efforts of the Arlington, Texas, Fire and Police Departments and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Weimer is prosecuting the case.

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