Annville Arsonist Sentenced for Historic Building Fire

LONDON, Ky. - An Annville, Ky., woman, Shelia Clemons, 58, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Robert E. Wier for arson.

On July 30, 2025, Clemons admitted to destroying Lincoln Hall, a historic building located in Jackson County, along with an attached, under-construction elevator shaft by fire. Clemons gained access to Lincoln Hall via a window and used a lighter to start a fire with a stack of paper located inside the window. At the time of the fire, Lincoln Hall was under active construction for improvement and use by the Annville Christian School.

"Lincoln Hall was a cherished historic landmark, and its destruction caused real harm to the Annville community," said Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. "Today's sentence reflects the seriousness of Ms. Clemons's actions and reinforces that intentionally setting a fire-especially one that destroys property under active renovation for a school-will be met with firm accountability. We are grateful for the investigators and first responders whose work ensured that justice was done."

Jason Parman, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and John Nokes, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Pearce Nesbitt prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.

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