Finnegan Couple Pleads Guilty to Faulty Fire Suppression Systems Installation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 27, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT Beth Reiss Communications Director beth.reiss@mid.ms.gov 601-359-2403 Finnegan Couple Pleads Guilty to Installing Faulty Fire Suppression Systems JACKSON, Miss. – Daniel and Sherri Finnegan, owners of Finnegan Fire Safety Equipment, entered guilty pleas in Rankin County on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Daniel Finnegan was sentenced to twenty (20) years, with seven (7) years to serve. Sherri Finnegan was sentenced to five (5) years, with four (4) years suspended and one (1) year to serve. The plea agreements encompass charges filed in both Rankin and Madison Counties. Across the two counties, twelve (12) charges were filed against Daniel Finnegan and twelve (12) against Sherri Finnegan, stemming from six separate cases. The Finnegan’s were arrested on August 21, 2024, for allegedly selling and installing faulty and used fire suppression systems in commercial kitchens throughout the state. The systems did not work and were not tested before being placed into service, putting people at risk in the event of fire. Finnegan sold many systems to daycares and other businesses. The couple appears to have targeted minority-owned businesses and owners who have a language barrier. Originally, both husband and wife were charged with forty-one (41) counts each of False Pretense, a felony under Mississippi law, along with thirty-seven (37) counts each of violations of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code, which are misdemeanor offenses. Despite the pleas entered in Rankin and Madison Counties, the defendants still face an additional thirty-one (31) violations of the Mississippi Fire Prevention Code and thirty-seven (37) False Pretense charges that remain pending. Of the thirteen (13) counties involved in this investigation, charges remain active in eleven (11) counties. The investigation showed that more than $343,000 was paid directly to the couple by confirmed victims. It is important to note that this figure does not represent the full financial impact, as some financial documentation could not be obtained. Furthermore, many victims incurred substantial additional costs to correct and remediate deficient installations and to bring fire protection systems into compliance. Restitution ordered for Daniel Finnegan totals $67,853.95. Restitution ordered for Sherri Finnegan totals $20,000.00. The Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) will continue to monitor the remaining cases in other counties and will provide updates as more information becomes available. ###

Daniel Finnegan Sherri Finnegan