Tennessee man indicted for 'politically motivated' arson in Florida

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(The Center Square) – A Tennessee man has been federally indicted for a politically motivated arson in Florida, the U.S. Attorney’s Northern District of Florida Office announced Thursday.

The indictment accuses 28-year-old Ian Nathaniel Grice of interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise and arson.

Grice, who is from Dixon, Tennessee, is accused of setting fire to the historic Exchange Bank building on Jan. 14, 2024, court documents revealed.

Dix will face a jury trial in September before U.S. District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee. Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch is prosecuting the case.

Grice faces up to 20 years in prison for arson and up to five years on the count of interstate travel in aid of a racketeering enterprise.

Multiple agencies are involved in the case including the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Florida Department of Financial Services, and the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services.

The investigation into Grice and his arrest are part of the nationwide National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 initiative. Directed by the White House, the effort brings together federal, state, and local agencies over cases that involve political violence.