A man who allegedly set the Bangor Walmart on fire is now facing federal charges.
Lucas Landry, 44, of Smyrna, was arraigned on one felony count of arson Friday in U.S. District Court in Bangor. He is accused of setting a fire Nov. 3 at the Bangor Walmart, 900 Stillwater Ave.
Landry was originally charged in Penobscot County Superior Court with arson and a probation violation. The arson charge was dismissed after the U.S. attorney’s office decided to file charges, Penobscot County Deputy District Attorney Mark Rucci said.
The fire set off sprinklers and destroyed about $10 million worth of inventory, according to an affidavit filed in Penobscot County Court.
The fire started in the men’s clothing section, where Landry was standing, according to the affidavit. Bystanders used fire extinguishers to help contain the fire until the sprinklers kicked on.
Landry is accused of using the fire to try to hide his theft, per the affidavit. After the fire started he allegedly walked out with a cart full of items and put them into his work truck.
He is still charged with the probation violation and is in the Penobscot County Jail on a federal detainer.
The federal charge carries a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 20.
