Flagstaff Man Sentenced for Arson in Grand Canyon National Park

PHOENIX, Ariz. - Dahntay Dunbar, 21, of Flagstaff, was sentenced last week by Senior U.S. District Judge Roslyn O. Silver to 20 months in prison, to be followed by 60 months of supervised release. Judge Silver also ordered Dunbar to pay $20,146.13 in restitution. Dunbar pleaded guilty to Arson of a Dwelling, which occurred in the Grand Canyon National Park, on July 8, 2024.

Between the late night of May 17, 2024, and the early morning of May 18, 2024, Dunbar pushed his way into a locked cabin within the national park, which was the residence of his former girlfriend. She was not home at the time. Dunbar found a bottle of clear liquor and dumped it on a bed. Dunbar then took a lighter, lit one of his former girlfriend's shirts on fire and placed it on the bed. The bed started to burn, and Dunbar left the cabin. The fire caused scorching, burn damage, and smoke damage to the walls, ceiling, and other parts of the cabin. A bystander observed the fire and put most of it out prior to the arrival of the fire department. Dunbar was arrested on other charges a short time later by National Park Service law enforcement rangers and admitted to having committed the arson.

National Park Service special agents and rangers, assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney's Office, District of Arizona, Flagstaff, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER: CR-24-08061-001-PCT-RSO
RELEASE NUMBER: 2024-132_Dunbar

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