A man from Hendersonville, Tennessee pleaded guilty to "malicious destruction of property" today in relation to lighting a Nashville courthouse on fire in early June of last year.
This update comes from a press release via the US Department of Justice. Defendant Wesley Somers, 26-years-old, was first charged on June 3rd, 2020 for starting the courthouse fire on charges of aggravated “arson, felony vandalism & disorderly conduct."
It happened days earlier on May 30th in the immediate aftermath of rioting following George Floyd’s death. He and others had gone to the courthouse that night after a day of protesting in the downtown area. The group sprayed graffiti and smashed windows.
It led the Mayor to declare a state of civil emergency.
Video at the time documented the Nashville Metro Courthouse aflame.
The Nashville courthouse has been set on fire.
— Chloe Salsameda WJBF (@ChloeSalsameda) May 31, 2020
pic.twitter.com/KY5FfgLhNJ
It was due to the heavy social media circulation that Somers was identified. He and others were taken into custody.
"One photograph depicted Somers holding an unknown accelerant, which had been set on fire, and placing the accelerant through the window of the Courthouse,” stated the DOJ.
A federal grand jury indicted Somers on October 14th, 2020. The FBI and ATF are credited for assisting the Nashville Police Department in their investigation.
The sentencing hearing is scheduled for December 1st of this year. Anywhere between a five-year minimum and twenty years maximum is expected for the case.
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