Read full complaint against John W. Burns
BUFFALO MAN CHARGED WITH BURNING RESTAURANT AND BAR
From the US Attorney,
BUFFALO, N.Y. – U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross announced today that John W. Burns, 40 years old, of Buffalo, NY, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with maliciously damaging and destroying, and attempt to damage and destroy, by means of fire, a building and real property used in interstate commerce and in activity affecting interstate commerce, namely a restaurant and bar located at 223 Allen Street in Buffalo, NY, which carries a minimum penalty of 5 years in prison and a maximum of 20 years in prison.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard P. Antoine, who is handling the case, stated that on June 17, 2024, Burns was at the restaurant and bar, known as the “Old Pink”, and had a confrontation with another individual formerly contracted to work security for the Old Pink. Following that confrontation, Burns left the Old Pink and told the former security guard he would return to “burn that bitch down” and “ain’t nobody going to have a job”. Approximately two hours later, the restaurant was engulfed in flames. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement obtained video evidence, which shows an individual setting the building on fire. Burns is identified by witnesses as the individual in the video.
“Arson is an extremely dangerous crime, placing lives and property in danger”, stated United States Attorney Trini E. Ross. “Arson has tremendous ripple effects, leaving people homeless, without employment, or both. Here, the arson of the Old Pink left employees without jobs and destroyed an iconic gathering place in the Buffalo community. Such harm to our community will not be tolerated. My office will continue to investigate and prosecute all persons who commit arson, and other federal crimes, that negatively impact the Western District of New York.”
The defendant is schedule for an Initial Appearance on the criminal complaint at 1:00 pm today, before Magistrate Judge H, Kenneth Schroeder.
The complaint is the culmination of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, under the direction of Bryan Miller, Special Agent-in-Charge; Erie County District Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Acting District Attorney Michael J. Keane; Buffalo Fire Department, under the direction of Commissioner William Rinaldo; and Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Commissioner Joseph A. Gramaglia.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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