Kechi man faces arson charge after ‘maliciously’ damaging duplexes, feds say
Prosecutors say a Kechi man is facing federal charges for “intentionally and maliciously” damaging duplexes in south Wichita last year.
A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted Johnny E. Griffith, 34, on one count of arson, three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, two counts of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of an unregistered firearm, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.
Serenity O. Napier, 22, of Wichita was also indicted on one count of aiding and abetting Griffith in his alleged illegal possession of a 9mm pistol, the news release and the indictment say.
Neither had a lawyer listed for them in court records Thursday.
The indictment accuses Griffith of illegally possessing a pistol and ammunition, including two previously fired 9mm cartridge casings, on Aug. 5, 2025, after a previous felony conviction barred him from doing so.
Later that year, on Oct. 26, 2025, he allegedly used fire and an explosive to “maliciously damage and destroy, and attempt to damage and destroy” duplexes located at 3244 S. Victoria and possessed “an improvised incendiary bomb” that was not registered to him, according to the indictment. That address is near 31st Street South and Hydraulic.
He also allegedly possessed guns and ammunition in violation of the law on Nov. 19, 2025, and Jan. 5, according to the indictment.
