Detroit man's 15-year prison sentence for arson angers firefighters

Firefighters attending the sentencing of a convicted arsonist in support of their brothers who had been injured in the fire were angered by the defendant’s lack of remorse, and not happy with the subsequent sentence.


Calvin Jones, a self-employed mechanic, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison by US district court Judge Corbett O’Meara in Ann Arbor yesterday afternoon. He had been convicted of helping Samson Wright set fire to a two-story commercial building on Jefferson Avenue on August 13, 2010.


Seven firefighters were injured by falling debris from the brick structure, among them Brendan Milewski, who is confined to a wheelchair with paralysis.


Co-defendant Wright pled guilty last May to malicious use of fire, and also received a 15 year sentence.


Wright claimed the owner of the principal business in the building, a Metro PCS outlet, agreed to pay him $15,000 to torch the property. The money was to come from an insurance payout to the business owner.


Jones, 41, a self-employed mechanic, apologized to the firefighters for his actions on Aug. 13, 2010, when he helped torch a cell phone store on East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit.


"I'm truly sorry for all the people who got hurt, especially the firefighters and their families. I have always looked upon them as heroes," Jones said. Still, he insisted that he was forced at gunpoint to take part in the fire and repeatedly argued that he was denied a fair trial because he wasn't allowed to give his version of events in court.


This outraged many firefighters who packed the courtroom of U.S. District Court Judge John Corbett O'Meara in Ann Arbor this morning to show support for their colleagues.


"To have a guy stand there and show no remorse that's the biggest insult," said Dan McNamara, president of the Detroit firefighters union.


McNamara and others felt Jones deserved the 30-year sentence recommended by prosecutors.


The Milewski family was equally frustrated.


"Thirty years wouldn't have been enough," said Sharon Milewski, Brendan's mother.


Brendan Milewski said he wasn't surprised by the 15-year sentence and said, "I still think he made out."


Jones and his codefendant, Samson Wright, were both convicted of gutting the Metro PCS store at the behest of the store owner who was looking to file a bogus insurance claim.


Records show Wright agreed to burn down the store for $15,000, which would come from the insurance payout.


Wright ended up getting $500 for the job, records show. He pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced Nov. 15 to 15 years in prison.


His codefendant, Calvin Jones, faces 30 years in prison when he is sentenced today.


The U.S. Attorney's Office would not comment on whether it plans to charge the store owner. The Free Press was unable to reach the owner.


Detroit fire officials said they won't rest until everyone is held accountable for the fire, which forced three firefighters into retirement -- including one who was left paralyzed.


"We will never be at peace until every person involved in this fire is brought to justice," said Dan McNamara, president of the Detroit Fire Fighters Association.


When asked whether he knew about possible charges against the store owner, McNamara declined to comment.


He and several other firefighters plan to attend Jones' sentencing before U.S. District Judge John Corbett O'Meara. Among those expected to speak is Brendan Milewski, who was paralyzed after a wall collapsed on him and others during the blaze.


According to court records, tipsters led federal agents to Wright and Jones.


Wright testified at trial against Jones. He initially faced a 25-year prison sentence, but got 15 years instead because of his cooperation.


Jones, 41, a self-employed mechanic from Detroit, was convicted by a jury in July. He has requested a seven-year prison sentence, claiming he is less culpable than Wright.


Jones' lawyer, Sidney Kraizman, argued the point in court documents, saying it was Wright who cut the deal with the store owner to burn the business down.


"Samson Wright was the leader and was the most culpable," Kraizman wrote. "As per Mr. Wright, he entered into an agreement with the owner of Metro PCS for $15,000 from the insurance proceeds."


Kraizman did not return calls seeking comment. Neither did Rhonda Brazile, Wright's lawyer.