A Covington resident, David Juarez, aged 39, has been sentenced to over 11 years in prison for arson and unlawful possession of a destructive device. U.S. District Judge David L. Bunning handed down the 137-month sentence.
Juarez admitted to setting fire to two structures between March 6 and 9, 2023. He used ignitable liquids and Molotov cocktails in these acts. Prior to February 28, 2023, and again before March 5, Juarez burglarized an apartment in Covington twice, stealing personal items each time. On March 6, he returned to the apartment for another burglary, stealing more property before setting fire with an ignitable liquid inside.
Another incident occurred on March 9 when Juarez attacked a restaurant in Covington using Molotov cocktails made from stolen alcohol bottles. The fire was extinguished by the Covington Fire Department before it could spread or cause major damage.
Federal law requires that Juarez serve at least 85% of his prison term. After release, he will be under supervision by the U.S. Probation Office for three years.
The sentencing announcement came from Carlton S. Shier IV, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Shawn Morrow, Special Agent in Charge at ATF's Louisville Field Division; and Chief Brian Valenti of the Covington Police Department.
The investigation was conducted by the ATF alongside the Covington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel King is prosecuting the case.