A San Bernardino County man has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with deliberately setting fires that destroyed a 1.2 million-square-foot warehouse, causing approximately $500 million in damage, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Chamel Abdulkarim, 29, of Highland, is charged with arson of a building used in interstate and foreign commerce and in activities affecting interstate and foreign commerce.

Abdulkarim was arrested Tuesday and is in local custody in San Bernardino County. He is expected to be arraigned on state criminal charges in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Abdulkarim filmed himself early April 7 setting fire to multiple pallets of paper goods inside a large distribution center in Ontario. As he lit the fires, he stated, “If you’re not going to pay us enough to [expletive] live or afford to live, at least pay us enough not to do this [expletive].”

Authorities said the fires quickly spread, consuming the building and resulting in its destruction, with estimated damage of about $500 million.

Investigators allege Abdulkarim posted videos of the fires on social media and made additional statements by phone and text regarding his motive. He said, “I just cost these [expletive] billions,” “1% is a [expletive] joke,” and “All you had to do was pay us enough to live. Pay us more of the value WE bring. Not corporate. Didn’t see the shareholders picking up a shift,” prosecutors listed.

If convicted, Abdulkarim faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison and up to 20 years.

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