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A Hudson Valley apartment building superintendent who attempted to light the building on fire with tenants inside learned his fate on Tuesday, July 21, authorities said.
Lorgio Hernandez Quevedo, 69, got 15 years in prison for the attempted arson, the Dutchess County District Attorney’s office said.
Hernandez Quevedo, of Poughkeepsie, attempted to set the building on fire on April 18, 2025, by pouring gasoline down the stairs to the basement apartment, investigators said. He then tried to ignite the fuel with a lighter, according to prosecutors.
After initially targeting the stairs, Hernandez Quevedo poured more gasoline around the outside of the building, on a large plywood sheet attached to the front, and into a basement air conditioning unit, according to authorities.
Two people and two dogs were inside the basement apartment, and two more people were inside a third-floor apartment at the time, investigators said. The basement tenants called 911, and Hernandez Quevedo was found outside holding a lighter, according to the DA's office.
“Had this fire taken hold, the consequences could have been catastrophic,” District Attorney Anthony Parisi said.
Hernandez Quevedo was convicted of second-degree attempted arson on Monday, June 8. Judge Jessica Segal said Hernandez Quevedo showed no remorse at his hearing, according to prosecutors. He will be on probation for five years upon his release.
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