Before They Kill Again on ID is investigating arsonist and killer Thomas Sweatt, sometimes referred to as the DC Serial Arsonist, who was convicted of starting multiple fires within the Washington DC surrounding area that led to the deaths of two people.
In the early 2000s, Sweatt targeted residential houses and apartments in the District of Columbia and some areas of Virginia and Maryland.
Sweatt used an incendiary device made up of a one-gallon plastic jug, a plastic bag, and a cloth material used as a wick. He used gasoline as an accelerant.
The arsonist always placed the devices near a door as they would burn better, and he later admitted that he was often aware there were people in the homes.
This twisted individual was responsible for the deaths of two women. In February 2002, 89-year-old Annie Brown died from smoke inhalation after Sweatt set fire to her neighbor’s home in Northeast Washington DC.
In June 2003, 86-year-old Lou Edna Jones died when Sweatt placed an incendiary device near the front door of her home, also in Northeast Washington DC. Two other individuals managed to escape the house by jumping from a window, and firefighters rescued Jones from her room, but she succumbed to her injuries a short time later.
After the number of fires in the region began increasing, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) set up a task force to catch the arsonists.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelNavy investigators helped ATF find Thomas Sweatt and crack the DC Serial Arsonist case
The case was broken after the cops found a pair of Marine Corps blue pants at the scene of one of the fires, which led them to exchange information with Navy investigators.
The Navy had previously identified Sweatt as a suspect in a fire they had investigated, which led to his becoming a suspect in this case.
The ATF agents identified Sweatt’s “signature device” for starting the fires, which allowed them to pin a number of fires on him.
After a nearly two-year investigation, Sweatt was finally charged with arson and arson resulting in death. He eventually pleaded guilty to starting 45 fires. The twisted arsonist later admitted to ATF agents that he started an additional 300 fires.
DC Serial Arsonist Thomas Sweatt given lengthy sentence
Federal Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Sweatt to life in prison plus 136 years without any possibility of parole.
Judge Chasanow recommended the killer arsonist receive care for mental illness but stressed, “Whatever you faced in terms of any problem cannot in any way justify the actions you took — actions that terrorized a community.”
Sweatt apologized for his actions, “To my victims and to the victims’ families, I’m very sorry for all the harm that I caused you. For those of you who have lost loved ones, I share your hurt and share your pain every day.”
Sweatt is currently incarcerated at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg Medium at Hopewell, Virginia.
Before They Kill Again airs Sunday at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery.