Milwaukee Man Sentenced To Federal Prison After Business Arson

MILWAUKEE, WI — A Milwaukee man was sentenced to five years in federal prison on Friday in connection with a burglary and arson that occurred at a Kenosha salon in September, 2021, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin Gregory Haanstad.

Esmond King, 33, pleaded guilty to arson of a building used in interstate commerce, according to the release. King will also face $271,000 in restitution for property damage and after his prison term, he will face three years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Court filings said King broke into Mary's Beauty Salon the morning of Sept. 11, 2021, and when he got inside he used aerosol to start a fire inside the building's office, according to the news release. The ensuing smoke and fire damaged large parts of the salon and other businesses in the same building, according to Haanstad's release. Further, when police arrested King as he emerged from the business, he threatened to kill officers and their families, the release said.

“There is no excuse for the reckless and wanton destruction of property of innocent citizens and business owners,“ said Haanstad in the release. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to working with our law enforcement and community partners to protect all who live and work in the Eastern District of Wisconsin.”