18 U.S.C. § 844(f) – Arson or Explosion Causing Damage to United States Government Property
Targets arson and explosive attacks against federal property and federally funded entities.
Section 844(f) criminalizes the malicious use of fire or explosives to damage or destroy property connected to the United States government or entities receiving federal financial assistance.
This subsection is narrower than § 844(i). It focuses specifically on government-owned, government-leased, or federally funded property, rather than property merely involved in interstate commerce.
Core prohibited conduct.
A person violates § 844(f) by knowingly:
- Damaging or destroying property by fire or explosive
- Attempting to damage or destroy such property
The property may be:
- Owned or possessed by the United States
- Leased to the United States or a federal agency
- Owned by an institution or organization receiving federal financial assistance
Baseline penalties.
A violation of § 844(f)(1) carries:
- Mandatory minimum of 5 years in federal prison
- Maximum of 20 years imprisonment
- Fines under Title 18
Enhanced penalties for injury.
If the conduct:
- Causes personal injury, or
- Creates a substantial risk of injury (including to public safety officers)
The penalty increases to:
- 7 to 40 years in federal prison
Death-resulting conduct.
If the offense directly or proximately causes death, the defendant faces:
- 20 years to life imprisonment, or
- The death penalty
Attempts are punished the same as completed offenses.
If federal arson or explosives charges involving government property are being alleged,
contact our federal criminal defense attorneys to discuss how § 844(f) applies.
