Clinton Nathaniel Johnson, a 37-year-old resident of Leesville, was sentenced on April 9 to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to intentionally setting wildfires in the Kisatchie National Forest. Johnson was immediately remanded to custody and ordered to pay $39,094 in restitution for fire response costs. He will also serve two years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
The sentencing comes as a response to a series of wildfires that occurred between May and July 2025. According to evidence presented in court, approximately 19 fires were set deliberately within the forest, with investigators linking them to Johnson through distinctive stormproof matches found at multiple scenes. Three of these fires each burned significant areas—approximately 150 acres, 75 acres, and 35 acres respectively—but were contained without injuries or property damage due to quick action by fire personnel.
“Wildfires pose a grave threat to life and property, and there must be consequences for anyone reckless enough to intentionally set them,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. “Our community is extremely fortunate that no injuries or property damage resulted from the 19 illegal fires set by Mr. Johnson, and we are grateful to our firefighters and first responders for their swift and effective actions. This case shows our Office’s commitment alongside our law enforcement partners to identify perpetrators of this reckless and dangerous crime and hold those perpetrators accountable with felony charges.”
Federal agents executed a search warrant at Johnson’s home in August 2025 where they found stormproof matches matching those recovered from the fire scenes as well as video evidence showing him purchasing the same brand of matches. Johnson admitted he started the fires by throwing lit matches from his vehicle while driving through the forest.
The United States Forest Service led the investigation with help from the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division and Vernon Parish Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Myers P. Namie prosecuted the case with support from Paralegal Specialists Denise Duhon and Ginger Green.
U.S. Attorney Keller announced that related court documents can be accessed on both www.justice.gov/usao-wdla as well as www.lawd.uscourts.gov under Case Number 2:25-cr-00237-01.
