Conspiracy to firebomb attorneys gets Bay Area man 18 years

A federal judge has sentenced a Bay Area man to 18 years in prison for conspiring to firebomb the homes of four attorneys and two other people he considered his enemies.

When David Jah "was unable to achieve his objectives in court, he turned to violence," Acting U.S. Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds of the Northern District said in a statement. "Upholding the rule of law and the safety of the community is of the utmost importance, which is why we will continue to aggressively investigate and punish those who attempt to impede justice through violent intimidation."

U.S. District Judge William H. Alsup of the Northern District of California sentenced Jah of Concord on Tuesday, following a jury conviction May 13 of conspiring to commit arson.

Jah's attorney, Randy Sue Pollock of Oakland, did not respond to a request for comment.

Jah was convicted of conspiring with Kristopher Alexis-Clark and Dennis Williams to firebomb the homes of those he believed had wronged him: two attorneys involved in the sale of his childhood home; the attorney who prosecuted the forcible detainer action removing him from the home; the purchaser of the home; a neighbor whom Jah had disagreements with; and a San Francisco deputy city attorney who had represented the county and the San Francisco Police Department in an excessive force lawsuit Jah's son had filed. USA v. Jah et al., 3:19-cr-00026 (N.D. Cal., filed Jan. 15, 2019).

Prosecutors said Jah had offered to pay Alexis-Clark and Williams $800 to $5,000 to throw Molotov cocktails at the homes of six people on his enemy list. As a result, three homes were firebombed in 2018 including the home of a neighbor of one of the intended victims.

No one was seriously injured during the attacks.

During the trial, prosecutors connected Jah to two prior Molotov cocktail attacks on individuals on his enemy list. In a sentencing memorandum, prosecutors asked the court to consider evidence on four other arson attacks Jah had orchestrated in the past, a total of nine arson attacks.

"The details of Mr. Jah's scheme are chilling. They paint a picture of a man with a volcanic temper, who is capable of aggressively lashing out against those who stand in his way," Hinds wrote, recommending a sentence of 15 years or more. "But perhaps even more concerning -- and more relevant to this court's sentencing determination -- is the other side of David Jah. The man who will lie in wait for years, watching for the right opportunity, before meting out his revenge."

Jah filed a pro per notice of appeal of his conviction and is awaiting counsel to be appointed.

Alexis-Clark and Williams have pleaded guilty to crimes related to the firebombing plan, but have not been sentenced, according to a news release issued by the U.S. attorney's office. The office did not respond to inquiries regarding the charges.

Alexis-Clark and Williams were charged in 2019 with conspiracy to commit arson, arson and possession of an unregistered firearm. Alexis-Clark was also charged with aiding and abetting.