Nashville, TN – Pardrae Gooch, a 38-year-old resident of Nashville, Tennessee, has been charged by a federal grand jury with robbery affecting interstate commerce, using fire to commit a felony, and damaging a building by fire. This announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Thomas J. Jaworski for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to the court documents and available public information, the incident occurred on May 29, 2024, when Gooch entered the S. Fashion Clothing Store in South Nashville. He allegedly assaulted the only employee present, identified as Victim 1, by choking her until she lost consciousness, hitting her, and forcing her into a bathroom at the back of the store. Inside the bathroom, Gooch reportedly struggled with the victim for her cell phone, hitting her again in the process. He then stole her phone and car keys and fled the scene in her vehicle. Before leaving, Gooch allegedly set a pile of clothes on fire in the bathroom, attempting to burn down the store with the unconscious victim inside.
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Emergency services, including Metro Nashville police officers and firefighters, responded to the scene after receiving 911 calls from witnesses. The victim was discovered and transported to a hospital, where she was diagnosed with a cranial fracture and other injuries. The Nashville Fire Department managed to extinguish the fire, but the store required several days of closure due to the damage incurred.
At the time of this incident, Gooch was out on bond for previous domestic violence-related arrests involving two different women. Furthermore, he had been arrested just eight days prior for violating an order of protection.
If convicted on all charges, Gooch faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 20 years in federal prison, in addition to a maximum fine of $250,000.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, and the Nashville Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn D. Risinger and Emily Petro are handling the prosecution.
It should be noted that an indictment serves only as an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: Read Original Release
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