Washington, D.C. — A 64-year-old Washington man who set fire to a residential apartment building where his own family members lived has been sentenced to prison after prosecutors said surveillance video captured him igniting a blaze that caused more than $200,000 in damage.

Ronnie Bookhardt, 64, of Washington, D.C., was sentenced Friday in D.C. Superior Court for the October 2022 arson, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro.

Bookhardt pleaded guilty on February 9, 2026, to one count of arson. In addition to his prison sentence, Judge Judith Pipe ordered him to serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Fire Broke Out Before Dawn at Southeast D.C. Apartment Building

According to prosecutors, D.C. Fire Department investigators responded at approximately 4:48 a.m. on October 20, 2022, after an alarm sounded at a four-story apartment building located at 601 L Street Southeast.

Investigators arriving at the scene detected the odor of gasoline near one of the units and observed extensive fire and water damage in a hallway where two sprinkler heads had activated.

Authorities later determined the fire had been intentionally set.

Surveillance Video Captured Arson

Government evidence showed surveillance footage of Bookhardt entering a stairwell inside the building shortly before the fire.

According to prosecutors, the video captured him stopping outside an apartment unit, manipulating a lighter, and pouring lighter fluid from a black plastic bag.

The footage then showed a bright flash of fire erupting in the stairwell.

Investigators determined the fire was set near an apartment where members of Bookhardt’s family resided.

Water Damage Exceeded Fire Damage

While the fire itself caused significant destruction, building officials reported that the resulting water damage from the activated sprinkler system ultimately exceeded the fire damage.

The combined losses totaled more than $200,000, according to court records.

Key Points

• Ronnie Bookhardt pleaded guilty to setting fire to a Washington apartment building.
• Surveillance video allegedly captured him igniting the blaze in a stairwell.
• The fire and resulting water damage caused more than $200,000 in losses.

Arrested Two Days After Fire

Authorities arrested Bookhardt on October 22, 2022, two days after the fire.

He has remained in custody since his arrest.

The case was investigated by the D.C. Fire Department and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Interim Metropolitan Police Department Chief Jeffery Carroll joined U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro in announcing the sentence.

With sentencing now complete, Bookhardt will continue serving the prison term imposed by the court, followed by three years of supervised release.

Washington DC crime, arson conviction, apartment fire, criminal sentencing

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