A federal grand jury has indicted Arletta Allen, a 43-year-old from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, on charges related to arson and fraud. United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Gregory J. Haanstad, announced the four-count indictment on December 17, 2024.
The charges against Allen include arson of a commercial building under Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i); wire fraud and attempted wire fraud under Sections 1343 and 1349; arson in connection with a federal felony under Section 844(h); and making false statements to law enforcement under Section 1001(a).
The indictment alleges that on or around October 10, 2021, Allen set fire to "A Family Affair Soulfood Kitchen" at 417 S. Main Street in Fond du Lac. It is further claimed that she defrauded Germantown Mutual Insurance Company by filing a false insurance claim while denying involvement in the fire. Additionally, Allen is accused of lying multiple times to law enforcement regarding her actions before the incident.
If convicted, Allen could face severe penalties: Count One carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to twenty years; Count Two can result in up to twenty years' imprisonment; Count Three mandates at least ten years consecutively with any other sentence; and Count Four allows for up to five years' imprisonment.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) alongside the Wisconsin Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigations (DCI) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly B. Watzka and Porchia S. Lewand are prosecuting the case.
It is important to note that an indictment serves as an accusation rather than proof of guilt. The defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
For additional information contact Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales via email at Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov or phone at (414) 297-1700.