Suspect in Walmart fire indicted on federal charges

The man accused of starting the Clovis Walmart fire on Sept. 3 has been indicted on federal charges of arson and attempted arson, officials said.

Ninth Judicial District Attorney Quentin Ray said Friday he has dismissed state charges so that Jimmy Guillen, 59, can be prosecuted under federal law.

“They have a higher range of punishment and I think a different system may work better if there are any defenses that the defendant tries to bring up,” Ray said.

Under state law, Guillen faced up to 25 ½ years in prison if convicted on all charges. Under federal guidelines, he could be sentenced up to 40 years in prison, Ray said.

Online court records show Guillen remained in the Curry County Adult Detention Center on Friday. Ray said he expects federal authorities to take him into custody some time in the next week so that he can face arraignment in a federal court.

“The feds have placed a detainer and so he won’t be released but will be transported to a federal facility,” Ray said.

A U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson said “files have yet to be processed” and could not provide additional information on Friday.

Guillen was arrested Sept. 13 in Lubbock where he traveled after Clovis police questioned him the morning of the fire.

His public defender could not be reached for comment.