Three men have been charged with second-degree arson in connection with a January fire at Judy’s Convenience Store, formerly Kwik-Way Grocery, on Washington Street in Marion, according to court records.
All three cases were filed Tuesday, Feb. 3, and list the offense date as Jan. 19.
Richard Harris Moore, 59, of Marion, is charged with one count of second-degree arson, a Class B felony under Alabama law. Court records say he was arrested Feb. 2 and that his bond was set at $30,000.
Aziz Yahia Moflah Zandani, 38, of Marion, is also charged with one count of second-degree arson arising from the same incident. He was arrested Feb. 2, and his bond was likewise set at $30,000.
A third defendant, Nader Nageeb Zandani of Marion, faces the same second-degree arson charge. District Court records list his arrest date as Feb. 2 and show his bond set at $30,000. His date of birth was not listed in the online court file as of Tuesday.
The charges stem from an incident that investigators say occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 19 at Judy’s Convenience Store, located at 902 Washington Street.
The three separate but nearly identical criminal complaints state that each defendant “intentionally, and with intent to damage a building, detention facility, or a penal facility, did unlawfully start or maintain a fire or cause an explosion” at the convenience store. The documents say none of the men had a possessory or ownership interest in the building and that the fire was not started for “a lawful and proper purpose.”
The Marion Police Department’s weekly activity report for January 18–25 included a fire call at Judy’s Convenience Store on Washington Street, indicating that local officers were first on the scene before state investigators became involved.
The building was totally destroyed in the blaze, with only its cinderblock walls still partially standing.
All three cases were filed in Perry County District Court. Court dates had not been posted in the online docket as of press time.
Arson in the second degree is a Class B felony in Alabama, punishable upon conviction by two to 20 years in prison. The charges in these cases are allegations only, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
