Tampa Man Who Set Fire To Champs Store Sentenced To 5 Years

Tampa FL

04 August, 2021

11:26 AM

Description

TAMPA, FL — A 21-year-old Tampa man who set fire to a Champs sports store on Fowler Avenue during demonstrations following the death of George Floyd has been sentenced to five years in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber sentenced Terrance Lee Hester Jr. for "damaging or destroying by fire a building used in interstate commerce." The court also ordered Hester to pay restitution and to serve three years of supervised release following completion of his prison sentence. According to court documents, around midnight on May 31, 2020, a peaceful protest following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police turned violent as marchers reached the University Square Mall area at Fowler Avenue and 30th Street. Tampa PoliceU.S. District Judge Thomas Barber sentenced Terrance Lee Hester Jr. for "damaging or destroying by fire a building used in interstate commerce."A crowd looted and set fire to a Mobil gas station at 3003 E. Busch Blvd. and began setting off fireworks, breaking store windows and throwing rocks and bottles at police and sheriff's deputies. One sheriff's deputy was hospitalized after being struck in the back of the head with a piece of concrete. Protesters looted a Gold & Diamond Source, CVS, AT&T and Cricket stores in the University Square Mall area and then turned their attention to the Champs sports store at 2301 E. Fowler Ave. The fire at Champs spread to a restaurant and other businesses in the strip center resulting in more than $1.25 million in damages. Video footage obtained by investigators showed Hester tossed a flaming piece of cloth into the Champs sports store through a broken window. Fire investigators determined that the fire originated inside the Champs sports store and Hester's act contributed to the cause of the fire. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Tampa Police Department and Tampa Fire Rescue. See related stories: Tampa Rally Turns Violent, Gas Station Torched, Stores Looted Video: Police Want To Identify Man Seen Setting Fire To ChampsTampa Man Charged With Burning Down Champs During Civil Unrest