Acting United States Attorney Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr., has announced the sentencing of Ramiz Duka, a 62-year-old resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Duka received a six-year prison sentence from United States District Court Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge for his involvement in orchestrating the arson of a Bucks County warehouse.
Duka was convicted on October 30, 2024, for conspiracy to commit malicious damage by means of fire on a building used in interstate commerce. Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Duka recruited two men to set fire to the warehouse located at 1388 Bridgewater Road in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He paid them $15,000 for their participation. The planning spanned several weeks before one of the recruited individuals set the building ablaze on December 10, 2022.
The resulting fire led to significant destruction exceeding $6 million and caused serious injury to a firefighter when a ladder collapsed during suppression efforts.
“Ramiz Duka orchestrated this arson plot and set it in motion with no regard for the unpredictable nature of fire, the potential for the flames to spread, or the risks facing first responders reporting to fight the blaze,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thayer. “Arson endangers lives and communities, and, as this case shows, our office will continue to work with our partners to hold accountable those reckless enough to commit such a serious crime.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of ATF's Philadelphia Field Division added: “Arson is a dangerous crime with dire consequences, as in this case seriously injuring a firefighter who was serving to protect his community.” He expressed gratitude towards local law enforcement agencies involved: “I thank the Bensalem Township Police and Fire-Rescue, U.S. Attorney’s Office and other partners who are helping the ATF-led Philadelphia Arson and Explosives Task Force seek justice and keep our communities safe from dangerous arsonists like Ramiz Duka.”
The investigation was conducted by Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with Bensalem Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz is prosecuting the case with special acknowledgment given to Bensalem Township Fire Rescue and volunteer firefighter companies that responded.