Albuquerque –
An Albuquerque woman pleaded guilty to maliciously setting multiple fires that damaged and nearly destroyed a storage warehouse used by two Albuquerque hotels.
According to court documents, Samantha Lee, 41, started several fires October 14, 2024, inside a storage warehouse on Menaul Blvd NE in Albuquerque. The warehouse was used by the Crowne Plaza Hotel and The Querque Hotel to store furniture, carpeting, kitchen appliances, air conditioning units, linens and other materials.
The fires spread throughout the warehouse, causing significant structural damage and nearly destroying its contents.
Fire investigators identified five areas where the fires originated. After reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, investigators identified Lee as the woman seen approaching the areas where the fires started and placing items nearby.
Lee pleaded guilty to arson. She faces up to five years in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release at sentencing.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department.
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