A Nashville man, who was previously out on bond for domestic violence charges, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for his alleged role in the violent robbery and subsequent arson of a South Nashville clothing store. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Tennessee, 38-year-old Pardrae Gooch is facing charges of robbery affecting interstate commerce, using a fire to commit a felony, and damaging a building by fire.
The indictment details a May 29 incident, where Gooch allegedly assaulted and choked a female store employee at S. Fashion Clothing Store to the point of unconsciousness, and then set fire to the establishment. Furthermore, Gooch is accused of stealing the victim's phone and car keys and using her vehicle to flee the scene, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee. The employee was later diagnosed with a cranial fracture among other injuries. At the time of these events, Gooch was out on bond for another case involving domestic violence, having been arrested just days prior for violating an order of protection.
Local authorities, including the Metro Nashville Police Department and Nashville Fire Department, were alerted by witnesses and responded to the emergency. While the victim was transported to a hospital for her injuries, firefighters managed to extinguish the fire before it could cause further harm, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Tennessee. Despite these efforts, the store incurred damage serious enough to force closure for several days, impacting the business and its employees.
If convicted on all counts, Gooch faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 20 years in federal prison, along with a potential maximum fine of $250,000. The case is being investigated jointly by various agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kathryn D. Risinger and Emily Petro are leading the prosecution.