A man who allegedly drove all the way from Alabama to Indiana to commit arson has been under a federal grand jury since January, the U.S. Department of Justice reported earlier this month.
The federal grand jury indictment handed down on Jan. 19 that charged Tommy Lee Harrison Sr., 37, of Birmingham, Alabama with arson was unsealed Feb. 17, according to DOJ's news release issued the same day. Harrison is charged with interstate travel for the purpose of committing a crime of violence.
Southern District Indiana U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers
| justice.gov
Harrison is alleged to have traveled from Alabama to Connersville, Indiana in Fayette County "on or about October 28 and 29" to commit arson, the news release said. Harrison was arrested in Birmingham prior to unsealing of the indictment and he faces one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering enterprises.
The FBI has been investigating the case.
If convicted, Harrison faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Parole does not exist in the federal system.
Zachary A. Myers, who was sworn in as a Southern District Indiana U.S. Attorney in November, commented on the severity of Harrison's crime:
"Interstate travel to commit arson is a very serious offense that poses a significant danger to the community. Anyone involved in committing such crimes must be held accountable. I commend the FBI and the prosecution team for their hard work to uncover the facts in this continuing investigation."
Harrison's court appearances are to take place in Alabama. U.S. Attorney Bradley P. Shepard, also in Indiana's Southern District, is prosecuting the case.
The news release provided no details about the arson with which Harrison is charged, but Indianapolis and Central Indiana NBC affiliate WTHR 13 reported that the FBI has been looking into a suspicious fire at a Connersville City Councilman's house on Oct. 29. The councilman and his wife and children were not at home at the time but two family pets were killed and a racial slur was found spray painted in black letters on the home's back porch. The FBI has been investigating the fire has a hate crime, according to WTHR's coverage.
