Two "Fat City" Convenience Store Operators Plead Guilty to Arson

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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – WAEL HAMMAD, age 37, and ALAAHAMMAD, age 30, both residents of Gretna, Louisiana, pleaded guilty today infederal court before U. S. District Judge Eldon E. Fallon to a two countindictment charging each with conspiracy to commit arson and arson for the firewhich occurred at Fat City Discount on December 14, 20111, announced U.S.Attorney Jim Letten.  The investigation revealed that the a fire which occurred atFat City Discount Market on December 14, 2011was intentionally set by WAELHAMMAD and ALAA HAMMAD who operated the business.
For each arson count each of the Hammads faces a maximumterm of twenty (20) years imprisonment, a fine of up to $250,000.00 and aminimum three (3) years of supervised release following any term ofimprisonment.
Judge Fallon ordered a pre-sentence investigation for thecourt, remanded each defendant back to jail and set their sentencing forJanuary 3, 2013.
The case was investigated by the ATF and the JeffersonParish Fire Investigator's Office.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. AttorneyTony G. Sanders.