NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A man was charged with 11 federal crimes in connection to the burning of Music City Garage and a shooting at On the Go Tires in Nashville.
Accroding to officials, 42-year-old James Hayward Williams, also known as Spanky, threatened the business owner on Instagram, saying he would burn it down. He then allegedly set fire to Music City Garage two times: once during the early morning hours on December 22, 2018 then again on December 24 and December 26, trying to extort $30,000 from the owner.
During each incident, the Nashville Fire Department (NFD) responded to put out the building fire and car fire, which Williams had set.
The complaint also charges Williams with possessing a .40 caliber pistol after having been convicted of a felony and firing multiple rounds from that pistol at On the Go Tires, as well as an extortion attempt to collect $20,000 from a person associated with that business.
Williams was said to have fired the gun at the business and at a vehicle that was occupied by a young girl, narrowly missing her.
If convicted, Williams faces more than 100 years in prison.
This case was investigated by the MNPD’s recently formed Crime Gun Unit, the MNPD Gang Unit, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, and the Nashville Fire Marshal’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sunny A.M. Koshy is prosecuting the case.
