17°
Al-Ashraf Khalil, 31, and Isaam Jaghama, 31, were found guilty by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit malicious damage by fire and malicious damage by fire of a building used in interstate commerce, according to U.S. Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero. Khalil was also convicted of wire fraud and using fire in furtherance of wire fraud.
The fire, set in the early hours of June 18, 2022, at a mixed-use property at 300 West Indiana Avenue, caused the building to collapse, killing Williamson and injuring five other first responders. Khalil, the property owner, conspired with Jaghama to set the fire in a scheme to collect more than $400,000 in insurance money, officials said.
“This fire wasn’t an accident or act of God,” said U.S. Attorney Romero. “But for these defendants, it never would have started, the building would still stand, and Lt. Williamson would still be with his family—a wholly preventable tragedy, sparked by greed.”
Williamson, 51, was trapped under rubble when the building collapsed during fire suppression efforts. Four other firefighters were injured, and two families with children narrowly escaped.
“This case highlights the devastating impact of arson—a dangerous and deadly crime,” said Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Philadelphia Field Office.
At sentencing, Khalil faces a mandatory minimum of 17 years and up to life in prison. Jaghama faces a mandatory minimum of seven years and up to life.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Jeffrey Thompson expressed gratitude for the convictions, saying: “The Philadelphia Fire Department will forever mourn the loss of Lieutenant Sean Williamson. We thank the United States Attorney and Justice Department for their diligence in bringing these men to justice. Our fervent hope is that this verdict will bring even a small amount of closure to Lt. Williamson’s family, both at home and in the PFD.”
The investigation was led by ATF Philadelphia, the ATF National Response Team, the Philadelphia Fire Marshal’s Office, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, with significant assistance from the Department of Licenses & Inspections.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Lansdale and receive free news updates.
