A Michigan man has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for setting fires to three semi-trailers owned by a major commercial trucking company, according to an announcement from U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. Viorel Pricop, 67, of Allen Park, Michigan, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker.
Pricop was found guilty on August 21, 2024, after an eight-day trial. The jury convicted him on three counts of Arson of a Vehicle or Property in Interstate Commerce.
“This defendant left a nation-wide path of destruction that threatened lives, property, and critical infrastructure,” said U.S. Attorney Timothy Courchaine. “Thanks to the dedicated work of federal prosecutors and ATF agents, the DoJ brought him to justice. This case is proof that the federal government will bring its full weight to bear in order to stop dangerous and destructive criminals.”
Shawn Stallo, ATF Acting Special Agent in Charge for the Phoenix Field Division, stated: “The ten-year sentence handed down to Pricop marks the culmination of a multi-year, multi-state investigation into a dangerous campaign of targeted arson. This successful outcome was made possible through the exhaustive use of ATF resources, including our K-9 units, the Fire Research Laboratory, and the technical expertise of our Certified Fire Investigators who methodically linked these fires across the country. By leveraging these specialized tools to hold this serial arsonist accountable, we have ensured that he can no longer threaten the lives of drivers or the safety of our nation’s interstate commerce.”
Pricop’s actions targeted Swift Transportation—a Phoenix-based trucking company—by setting fire to their trailers as part of a larger pattern involving multiple states between October 2021 and September 2022. Two incidents occurred in Willcox and one in Holbrook, Arizona; additional fires took place at locations from Barstow, California to McCalla, Alabama along major interstate highways.
Federal criminal charges related to some incidents were filed against Pricop in several districts and led to his conviction for six arsons during a separate trial held in California in 2024.
Prior legal issues included a conviction in Michigan’s Eastern District for tax offenses and transportation of stolen goods following an investigation by Swift Transportation itself; he served approximately 26 months before being released from supervision two years prior to starting these arsons.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) led the investigation with support from various field offices and laboratories. The prosecution was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Arizona’s Tucson division.
For more information about ongoing cases or activities within this office visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
