Louisiana Man Indicted in Hammond Walmart Federal Arson Case and Faces Up to 20 Years If Convicted

New Orleans, Louisiana – A Louisiana man has been indicted in a Hammond Walmart federal arson case and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

On April 25, 2023, U.S. Attorney Duane A. Evans announced that Terrence Coe, age 29, a resident of Hammond, Louisiana, was charged by a federal grand jury in a one-count indictment with arson, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 844(i).

According to the indictment, Coe maliciously damaged and destroyed by fire the structure known as Walmart, located at 2799 W. Thomas Street in Hammond, Louisiana, on or about December 24, 2022. Coe faces a possible term of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, up to three years of supervised release, and a mandatory $100 special assessment charge if convicted.

U.S. Attorney Evans emphasized that the indictment is only a charge and that the defendant’s guilt must be established beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal, and the Hammond Fire Department all looked into the case. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Troy L. Bell of the General Crimes Unit.