4 charged in arson-for-profit await detention hearings

YOUNGSTOWN — Four of seven men charged in an arson-for-profit case remain in federal custody pending pretrial detention hearings next week.

The defendants in custody are Majeed Bazazpour, 44, of Youngstown; Mohammad Fard, 44, of Canfield; Iraj Nasseri, 48, of Poland; and Frank Tenney, 29, of Masury.

The remaining defendants believed to now be in Iran are: Cyrus Ghassab, Farideh Jamali and Jamshid Ghassab. Cyrus and Jamshid are brothers.

All seven are named in a 21-count indictment that charges arson, mail fraud and money laundering. At least $695,112 of unlawfully obtained proceeds from insurance schemes was laundered, the government said.

Bazazpour, Fard, Nasseri and Tenney were arrested Thursday and made their initial appearance today in Youngstown federal court. Magistrate Judge George J. Limbert ordered that they remain locked up until pretrial detention hearings next Thursday. The case is being prosecuted by Phillip J. Tripi, an assistant U.S. attorney.

For the complete story, see Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.