Yes, in certain situations. The federal arson statute, 18 U.S.C. § 844, criminalizes fires involving property used in interstate or foreign commerce or used in an activity affecting interstate commerce. In practice, this reaches rental properties, commercial buildings, restaurants, retail stores, warehouses, any business that ships or receives across state lines, and federal property. ATF frequently investigates these fires alongside the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal. Federal arson charges carry serious mandatory minimums - five years for arson alone, longer if injury or death results. Federal cases move in U.S. District Court in Providence, not state Superior Court, and federal sentencing guidelines drive the outcome more than state sentencing ranges. If ATF has contacted you or served a federal subpoena, you need a Rhode Island arson lawyer with federal court experience immediately - do not treat a federal investigation the same as a state one.