ATF, local law enforcement partner investigation lands Houston man in prison

HOUSTON - ATF and its law enforcement partners conducted a coordinated investigation that led to a 55-year-old man being sentenced to federal prison, Sept. 23, 2026, for burning a three-story medical center under construction in Spring.

Truong Quoc Duong pleaded guilty March 3 to conspiring to maliciously use explosive materials resulting in personal injury.

U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal ordered Duong to serve 84 months in federal prison to be immediately followed by five years of supervised release. Duong was further ordered to pay $3,581,983.67 in restitution.

At the hearing, the court heard about injuries to a firefighter and damage to a fire truck, neighboring car wash, and the medical center. The court further considered the financial impact on the property owners and their employees, along with Duong's prior criminal history.

In handing down the sentence, the court cited Duong's "shocking disregard" for the danger he created by igniting a building next to other occupied structures and the firefighters who had to respond. The court also noted Duong's education and criticized his decision to use it to plan the offense, calling it a "real waste."

The court additionally questioned Duong's explanation for possessing five 2-liter bottles filled with flammable liquid, five grenade hulls, 188 firearm magazines, 14 silencers, 351 rounds of ammunition, and 87 firearms-including two short-barreled rifles-at the time of his arrest, describing his explanation as "challenging."

On Nov. 21, 2022, Duong drove Jason Rogers to the three-story medical center on Interstate 45 North in Spring and dropped him off near the building. Rogers entered carrying a full backpack and emerged several minutes later without it. The two later met at a nearby restaurant.

The fire erupted after both men left the area. Firefighters worked for several hours to extinguish the blaze, which destroyed the building and damaged the neighboring car wash. A firefighter suffered burn injuries, and damages exceeded $1 million.

Authorities later arrested Duong with several 2-liter Dr Pepper bottles filled with gasoline and fitted with an ignition system he had designed. Investigators determined the devices matched those used to set fire to the medical center.

Duong owned a pet store in a neighboring strip center and rented the space from the same landlords who owned the medical center. The investigation revealed he had stopped paying rent and abandoned the store before his lease expired. The landlords sued him, the birds inside died as a result of the eviction, and the fire occurred several days later, according to information presented in court.

Duong has been and will remain in custody pending transfer to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

Rogers, 41, of Houston, has been sentenced for his role.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Montgomery County Fire Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Laurence Goldman prosecuted the case.

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ATF protects American communities from violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives, and acts of arson. Through crime gun intelligence, forensic analysis, and relentless investigation, we identify and arrest violent offenders and gang members, dismantle trafficking networks, and sever the supply chains arming cartels, prohibited persons, and terrorist organizations. We defend the rights of law-abiding citizens by safeguarding lawful commerce and upholding the Constitution of the United States. Learn more about what ATF is doing to reduce violent crime in your community by following us on X @ATFHQ, Instagram @ATFHQ, LinkedIn @ATF, and Facebook @HQATF, or on the web at www.atf.gov .