St. Louis felon admits starting two fires in 2022

ST. LOUIS – A St. Louis man with a prior felony conviction appeared in federal court on Wednesday and admitted committing arson on two occasions in 2022 and later being caught with firearms during the investigation.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri said Vaely Berry, 52, threw a gasoline-filled bottle on the roof of a supermarket and grill in the 8300 block of North Broadway on July 15, 2022.

Berry also tossed two gas-filled bottles to ignite a fire on the roof of a liquor store in the 5900 block of Lillian Avenue on Dec. 8, 2022.

An ATF agent investigating the fires conducted a court-approved search of Berry’s home and found a revolver and shotgun, which Berry is not allowed to own or possess due to a prior conviction.

Berry pleaded guilty to two counts of arson and illegal possession of a firearm. He faces between 5 and 20 years on each arson charge, and up to 15 years in prison on the firearm charge. Each count also carries the possibility of a $250,000 fine.

Berry will be sentenced on November 13.

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