Demarcus McCloud, 46, an Indianapolis resident with a substantial criminal record, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for setting fire to an IndyGo bus and bus station. His sentence includes three years of supervised release and an order to pay restitution totaling $1,790,685.23, according to information provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana. McCloud pleaded guilty to two counts of malicious damage to property receiving federal funds and one count of federal property's malicious damage.
On the morning of April 24, 2024, the Indianapolis Fire Department and IMPD officers responded to a fire at the IndyGo bus stop. Court documents revealed McCloud boarded the operating Bus #1993 with a jug of liquid and two butane lighters, later causing the vehicle to be engulfed in flames. The bus was actively transporting passengers at the time when McCloud poured the liquid down the aisle, igniting it as he exited, leaving behind a scene that demanded swift and dangerous intervention from first responders.
In the vicinity of McDonald’s parking lot, IMPD officers apprehended McCloud, found holding two butane lighters. Further investigation linked him to an earlier arson at the IndyGo Red Line bus depot on April 20, 2024, where he set a trash can ablaze. The vandalized bus and depot, supported partially by federal grant monies, suffered damage roughly estimated at nearly $1.8 million, with the fire completely destroying the bus.
Over 25 years, McCloud's criminal conduct had painted a disturbing portrait of violence, with offense records sprawling from battery to burglary. "This defendant’s reckless actions endangered innocent lives, destroyed public property, and wasted nearly $2 million in taxpayer-funded resources," said U.S. Attorney Tom Wheeler, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. McCloud's sentencing reflects the culmination of rigorous law enforcement collaboration, with the ATF acting as the lead investigative agency. Acting Special Agent in Charge John Smerglia lauded the joint efforts that led to holding McCloud accountable for his destructive conduct.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with IMPD led the investigation into these arson cases. Chief U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney II imposed the sentence, with acknowledgement from U.S. Attorney Wheeler for Assistant U.S. Attorney Pamela S. Domash's role in prosecuting the case. McCloud now faces a substantial prison term as a consequence for the endangerment of lives and significant property damage he inflicted upon the Indianapolis community.
