Edward Leon, a 53-year-old resident of Fultonville, New York, has been indicted on charges related to a fatal arson that occurred in 2013. According to the indictment announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Leon is accused of using fire to destroy a rental property at 438 Hulett Street in Schenectady on May 2, 2013.
The incident resulted in the deaths of David Terry and three children: Michael Terry, Layah Terry, and Donovan Duell. Another child was seriously injured in the fire. The indictment notes that these are accusations and Leon is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Leon was arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz on July 31, 2025. A detention hearing is scheduled for August 6, 2025.
If convicted, Leon faces a minimum sentence of seven years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment or the death penalty. He may also be fined up to $250,000 and face supervised release for up to five years. Sentencing will depend on statutory requirements and consideration by a judge under the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The investigation is being conducted by ATF with assistance from several agencies including the Schenectady Police Department, Schenectady Fire Department, New York State Office of Fire Prevention & Control, New York State Police, Rotterdam Police Department, U.S. Secret Service, St. Johnsville Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alexander Wentworth-Ping, Richard D. Bellis, and Mikayla Espinosa are prosecuting.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact the ATF Albany Field Office at 518-431-4182.
“Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Bryan Miller, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), made the announcement.”
