PHILADELPHIA, PA — Ramiz Duka, 62, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in orchestrating the arson of a Bucks County warehouse, resulting in over $6 million in damages and a serious injury to a firefighter. United States District Court Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge also ordered Duka to pay $6,158,686.84 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The sentencing comes after Duka was convicted at trial on October 30, 2024, for conspiring to commit malicious damage by means of fire to a building used in interstate commerce. Evidence presented at trial revealed that Duka recruited two individuals to execute the December 10, 2022, arson of the warehouse located at 1388 Bridgewater Road in Bensalem, Pennsylvania. Duka paid the conspirators $15,000 and met with them several times over the course of weeks to plan the crime.
The fire caused extensive destruction and endangered responding firefighters. During suppression efforts, one firefighter was seriously injured when a ladder collapsed—a stark reminder of the risks first responders face daily. Acting U.S. Attorney Nelson S.T. Thayer, Jr. sharply criticized Duka’s disregard for public safety, stating, “Ramiz Duka’s actions were reckless and placed lives and communities at risk. Our office remains committed to holding those who commit dangerous crimes accountable.”
Eric DeGree, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Philadelphia Field Division, emphasized the far-reaching consequences of the crime, highlighting the injury to the firefighter and the exhaustive efforts required to bring Duka to justice. “This case underscores the importance of our collaboration with local authorities to protect our communities from arsonists,” he said.
The investigation was carried out by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Bensalem Police Department, and the Philadelphia Arson and Explosives Task Force, with significant support from Bensalem Township Fire Rescue and local volunteer fire companies. Assistant United States Attorney Amanda R. Reinitz prosecuted the case.
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