SAN FRANCISCO — A 29-year-old San Francisco man is facing allegations he torched half a dozen tow trucks throughout the Bay Area in 2023 to drive business to his towing companies and retaliate against competitors, according to federal authorities.
Jose Vicente Badillo is charged with conspiracy to commit arson, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He made his initial appearance in court Thursday morning.
An indictment unsealed Thursday alleges Badillo conspired with others to set fire to two tow trucks in San Francisco on April 4; one tow truck in San Francisco on April 29; one tow truck in East Palo Alto on July 25; and two tow trucks in San Francisco on Oct. 3.
The purpose of the scheme was to drive more business to two Bay Area-based towing companies with which Badillo was associated — Auto Towing and Specialty Towing — by hindering the prospects of competitor towing companies and to retaliate against the same companies for perceived wrongs, according to the indictment.
Badillo allegedly orchestrated the scheme and then directed others to set fire to the targeted tow trucks.
If convicted, he faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Badillo is next scheduled to appear in court on March 20 for arraignment and identification of counsel.
Badaillo is also facing unrelated federal charges of money laundering and insurance fraud in two other pending cases, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.