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Written by: E. George
Published August 6, 2024 @ 11:50 AM ET
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. – A former McDonald’s employee has been sentenced to five years in federal prison following his guilty plea to charges of arson. Joshua Daryl McGregor, 34, committed the crime in April 2023 at the McDonald’s restaurant located at 2701 Montgomery Avenue in Savannah.
His actions, driven by frustration over the restaurant’s overcrowding, led to a dangerous fire that not only disrupted the business but also posed significant risks to public safety.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, McGregor, who was being trained as a manager, took extreme measures to address his dissatisfaction with the restaurant’s high customer volume. On the day of the incident, he intentionally set a fire by igniting a piece of cardboard and tossing it into a dumpster filled with cardboard and other flammable materials.
McGregor ensured the fire was well-established before returning inside the restaurant, where he proceeded to film the blaze and share the video on social media.
The intensity of the fire caused significant disruption. Customers in the drive-through lane had to evacuate quickly, and the restaurant was forced to close temporarily while the Savannah Fire Department worked to extinguish the flames.
The response from the fire department underscored the seriousness of the situation, as firefighters and first responders were put at risk while containing the blaze.
McGregor’s actions were captured on surveillance video, leading to his identification and subsequent arrest by Savannah police. In May, he entered a guilty plea to the arson charge in U.S. District Court.
The sentencing was announced with strong remarks from federal and local officials. U.S. Attorney Steinberg criticized McGregor’s actions, stating, “Intentionally setting a fire in an effort to shut down or damage someone else’s property is inexcusable. Joshua McGregor will have substantial time to ponder his post-prison employment options.”
The prosecution emphasized the dangerous nature of arson, with Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Atlanta Field Division, commenting, “Arson is an extremely violent crime that not only destroys property but also places firefighters, first responders, and the general public at great risk.” Kolodka highlighted the collaborative efforts of the ATF, Savannah Fire’s Arson Unit, and other law enforcement agencies to hold those responsible for such acts accountable and to ensure community safety.
In addition to the five-year prison sentence, McGregor was ordered to pay restitution for the property lost in the fire. He will also face three years of supervised release upon completing his prison term.
Fred Anderson, the chief investigator for the Savannah Fire Arson Unit, expressed appreciation for the partnership between local and federal agencies, stating, “Savannah Fire’s Arson Unit greatly appreciates our continued ability to work with our local and federal partners to successfully prosecute arson that affects interstate commerce in our jurisdiction. These efforts made as a partnership have continued to help make our community safer and greatly reduce the act of arson throughout the city.”
McGregor’s defense attorney, William Joseph Turner, voiced disappointment over the sentencing, particularly concerning the length of prison time. Turner described the situation to McClatchy News, “The original recommendation to the Court was over 15 years in custody, which would have been a travesty of justice. Josh is a good man that made a mistake, and he will move past this.”
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