Arson Conspiracy Conviction Announced
**Bensalem, PA** – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero announced the conviction of Ramiz Duka, a 61-year-old resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, for conspiracy to commit arson nearly two years after a commercial building fire.
Trial evidence showed that Duka organized a plan with two men to set ablaze a warehouse at 1388 Bridgewater Road, Bensalem, Pennsylvania. He paid them $15,000 for this illegal act. Over weeks, the conspirators held meetings to strategize the arson.
The fire was ignited by one of the recruited men on December 10, 2022. During firefighting efforts, Firefighter Nicholas Altomare was seriously injured in a ladder collapse. He temporarily left work but has since returned after recovery. The fire resulted in close to $6 million in damages.
At sentencing, Duka faces a prison term ranging from a mandatory minimum of five years to a maximum of 20 years. Authorities extended appreciation to volunteer firefighters, including Altomare, and other agencies involved in tackling the arson case.