(WWJ) An Allen Park man who's been in federal custody since 2022 for setting fire to semi-trucks all across the country has been found guilty of more arson charges.
Federal authorities say 66,-year-old Viorel Pricop set fire to at least 16 Swift Transportation trucks in multiple states, spanning from California to Alabama, between 2021 and 2022.
Officials said, in each case, a truck was parked at a gas station or rest stop when the fire broke out in or on the trailer portion of the vehicle, mainly on or near the trailer tires, according to an affidavit.
Last week, a federal jury found Pricop guilty of setting fire to three more trucks in Arizona.
Authorities found a gas torch, lighters and fuel-soaked rags in Pricop's vehicle. Officials said analysis of cell phone data was also introduced as evidence linking him to these crimes.
On the new charges, Pricop faces a mandatory ace a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a statutory maximum of 20 years in prison for each count.
His sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 13.
This cases was investigated by the Albuquerque Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Phoenix Field Division, with help from the ATF Fire Research and Forensic Laboratories, ATF Certified Fire Investigators, and Special Agents from the ATF National Cellular Analytics Program. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tucson.