SAVANNAH, Ga.–A Chatham County man who admitted deliberately setting the May 2020 fire that destroyed a public building in Savannah has been sentenced to five years in federal prison.
U.S. District Court Judge R. Stan Baker sentenced Stephen Charles Setter, 19, of Savannah, to 60 months in prison on one count of arson, said David H. Estes, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The fire he set destroyed Savannah’s Code Enforcement Office.
Setter will also pay restitution totaling $1.3 million, and he will serve three years of supervised release after completion of his prison term.
“By deliberately setting this fire, Stephen Setter senselessly destroyed a significant Savannah government building and as a result has well-earned his sentence,” said Estes. “It’s fortunate that none of the Savannah firefighters were hurt while fighting this massive blaze.”
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According to court documents and testimony, Setter admitted starting the fire at the Code Enforcement Office at 1700 Drayton St. in downtown Savannah shortly after 3 a.m. on May 3, 2020. The fire quickly spread into the attic and roof of the building, causing an estimated $1 million damage. The building was declared a total loss.
Setter told investigators that he activated a fire alarm at the Landings marina that same night, requiring the Chatham County Fire Department to respond, and while the station was unoccupied he then stole a fire department radio so he could listen to fire department communications.
“This is another example of how ATF has partnered with our state and local agencies to investigate the crime of arson,” said Lenwood S. Reeves, resident agent in charge of the Savannah Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “Not only does arson destroy millions of dollars’ worth of property each year, it endangers the lives of our first responders and the citizens of the community.”
“We are pleased with the outcome of this case,” said Fred Anderson, chief fire investigator for the Savannah Fire Department. “This is a prime example of the benefit that comes from the strong relationship between the Savannah Fire Department and our federal partners at the ATF and U.S Attorney’s Office.”
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