Alpine Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Intentionally Setting U.S. Post Office Ablaze

In Alpine, a federal judge sentenced 59-year-old Karl Henry Peterson to 37 months in federal prison for 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.

During yesterday’s sentencing hearing, United States District Judge David C. Guaderrama also ordered that Peterson pay $ 22,815.22 restitution and be placed on supervised release for a period of three years after completing his prison term.

On May 4, 2017, 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.

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., prosecuted this case on behalf of the Government.