Thursday, May 3, 2018 | 6 p.m.
A Las Vegas man who authorities allege intentionally sparked a fire at an unfinished resort on the north Strip, causing about $10 million in damage, today was charged with arson, according to the U.S. attorney for Nevada.
Andrew Joseph Sanders, 26, is facing one count of arson in connection to the March 1 incident at The Drew Las Vegas — formerly known as Fontainebleau — and if convicted can serve up to 20 years in prison and have to pay up to $250,000 in fines, officials said.
A surveillance system captured Sanders trespassing at the building, 2755 Las Vegas Boulevard South, and sparking “incendiary” fires in the structure, officials said. When firefighters showed up, Sanders started fighting one of them, which “delayed” firefighting efforts, officials said.
He then fled and was later arrested by Metro Police, police said. One fire damaged about 3,000 square feet of unfinished ballroom space on the 11th floor, and another a separate ballroom space.
Sanders told local and federal investigators that he’d trespassed at the property and admitted going up to the 11th floor of the parking garage, where the fire began, officials said.
Sanders will next appear in court on May 16, officials said.
