Detroit Arson Ringleader Gets 137 Years in Prison

A Detroit federal judge has sentenced a man to 137 years in prison for leading an arson ring that prosecutors say led to the destruction of numerous homes and the theft of $5 million from insurance companies.

The Justice Department said U.S. District Judge Robert Cleland sentenced 31-year-old Ali Darwich. The Beverly Hills man was convicted of 33 criminal counts at a trial in December.

The government said the scheme by Darwich and eight co-defendants started in 2005. It said they’d buy insurance for various buildings and vehicles and then intentionally burn or damage them.

The eight others have pleaded guilty.