A 19-year-old Dearborn man is facing at least five years in prison after he pleaded guilty today to hiring someone to torch his family’s business for insurance purposes.
Mouhamad Bazzi pleaded guilty in Ann Arbor before U.S. District Judge John Corbett O’Meara.
On Jan. 13, 2006, arsonists hired by Bazzi burned down The Dollar Store/Smokey Joe’s in the Superior Plaza on Wyoming in Dearborn. The business was owned by Bazzi’s mother and operated by Bazzi and his brother, court was told.
The fire also did significant damage to other shops in the plaza. A sentencing date was not set. Two other men were charged in the case. One awaits sentencing and the other awaits trial.
You can reach Paul Egan at (313) 222-2069 or pegan@detnews.com.