A 34-year-old employee of McDonald’s has been handed a five-year prison sentence after confessing to setting a dumpster ablaze outside the fast-food outlet, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Joshua Daryl McGregor, who was working at a McDonald’s in Savannah, Georgia, reportedly committed the act in April 2023 out of frustration over the high customer traffic at the restaurant. He ignited a piece of cardboard and threw it into a large trash bin filled with more cardboard and other flammable materials.
The fire grew to such a degree that customers were compelled to leave the drive-thru, as stated by prosecutors. The restaurant had to temporarily cease operations while the Savannah Fire Department put out the fire. Surveillance footage captured McGregor in the act, showing him ensuring the fire was well-lit and even recording a video with his cell phone. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from the incident.
McGregor was arrested by the Savannah Police Department and in May, he admitted to the arson charge in U.S. District Court. Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, denounced McGregor’s actions in a statement. She expressed that intentionally starting a fire to damage or shut down someone else’s property is inexcusable and that McGregor will have plenty of time to reflect on his future employment opportunities after his prison term.
Court documents disclosed that McGregor’s lawyers were considering an insanity defense before the plea, and the court had expressed concerns about his mental competency. McGregor was scheduled for a mental evaluation before he agreed to the plea deal. Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Atlanta Field Division, underscored the seriousness of arson in a statement. He emphasized that arson is an extremely violent crime that not only destroys property but also puts firefighters, first responders, and the general public in significant danger.
In addition to his prison sentence, McGregor is also obligated to pay over $1,000 in restitution.