Alpine Man Admits to Intentionally Setting U.S. Post Office Ablaze

In Alpine today, 59-year-old Karl Henry Peterson admitted to setting the U.S. Post Office in Alpine ablaze last year announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr. and Inspector in Charge Adrian Gonzalez, U.S. Postal Investigation Service, Houston Division.

Appearing before United States Magistrate Judge David Fannin, Peterson pleaded guilty to one count of arson involving a federal facility. By pleading guilty, Peterson admitted to setting fire to the U.S. Post Office during the early morning hours on October 12, 2016. As a result, the building suffered extensive damage.

Peterson, who remains in federal custody, faces an agreed sentence of 37 months in federal prison. Formal sentencing has yet to be scheduled.

The United States Postal Inspection Service, together with the Texas State Fire Marshal’s Office and the Alpine Police Department, investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney James J. Miller, Jr., is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.