A federal complaint says a San Bernardino County man admitted to setting multiple fires that destroyed a massive distribution center, resulting in roughly $500 million in damage, and he now faces federal and state charges.
A San Bernardino County man has been federally charged after authorities say he deliberately started fires that leveled a 1.2 million‑square‑foot warehouse and caused about $500 million in damage. The Justice Department announced the federal criminal complaint late Thursday, naming the suspect and outlining the alleged acts tied to interstate commerce. The scale of the loss stunned local officials and drew a multiagency investigation.
Federal prosecutors identified the suspect as Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, of Highland. He is charged with arson of a building used in interstate and foreign commerce and for activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce. The criminal complaint frames the act as more than a local incident because of the facility’s role in national supply chains.
Abdulkarim was taken into custody on Tuesday and remains in local jail in San Bernardino County. He is expected to face arraignment on state criminal counts in San Bernardino County Superior Court as the separate state case moves forward. Federal and state authorities are coordinating while each builds its portion of the prosecution.
According to an affidavit attached to the federal complaint, early on April 7 Abdulkarim filmed himself lighting multiple pallets of paper goods inside a large Ontario distribution center. As he set the fires, he said, “If you’re not going to pay us enough to [expletive] live or afford to live, at least pay us enough not to do this [expletive].” Those words are quoted verbatim in the affidavit and form part of the motive alleged by investigators.
The flames spread quickly, and investigators say the fires consumed the building, ultimately destroying the facility and inflicting roughly $500 million in damage. Videos posted to social media reportedly show portions of the blaze and the suspect’s actions. The speed and intensity of the blaze left firefighters battling hotspots for hours and raised questions about safety protocols at large warehousing facilities.
Prosecutors say Abdulkarim also made statements to others by phone and text about why he set the fires, including: “I just cost these [expletive] billions,” “1% is a [expletive] joke,” and “All you had to do was pay us enough to live. Pay us more of the value WE bring. Not corporate. Didn’t see the shareholders picking up a shift.” These messages are cited in the complaint as evidence of motive and intent.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has opened a criminal case tied to the Tuesday blaze and is pursuing charges in state court alongside federal filings. Officials emphasize that the federal complaint adds separate federal exposure because the warehouse served interstate commerce. The parallel tracks mean the defendant could face both state imprisonment and federal penalties if convicted.
A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct and does not constitute proof of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. That standard stands as both state and federal prosecutors prepare to present their evidence in court proceedings.
If convicted on the federal arson charge, Abdulkarim faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and a statutory maximum of 20 years. Those penalties reflect the severe federal consequences for destroying facilities tied to interstate commerce. Sentencing would depend on statutory guidelines, any plea negotiations, and the court’s assessment of aggravating or mitigating factors.
The investigation into the massive fire has drawn a multiagency response, including the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Ontario Police Department, and the Ontario Fire Department. Each agency is handling different pieces of the inquiry, from forensic origin work to criminal interviews and digital evidence collection. That kind of coordination is typical in large arson investigations with significant economic impact.
Assistant United States Attorney Alexander S. Gorin of the National Security Division is handling the federal prosecution. Prosecutors say they will present the evidence gathered so far, including the affidavit, witness statements, digital files, and the suspect’s own recorded comments. The case is moving quickly through initial steps as investigators continue to comb through the scene and related electronic records.
