3 women indicted for conspiring to place arson device in local nail salon

CINCINNATI – A federal grand jury indicted three women today on charges related to the attempted arson of a nail salon in Monroe, Ohio.

It is alleged that Kim Lien Vu, 45, of Liberty Township, Ohio; Cierra Marie Bishop, 29, of Hamilton, Ohio; and Makahla Ann Rennick, 18, of Hamilton, Ohio, were responsible for initiating an incendiary device at Bora Bora Nail Salon on Hamilton-Lebanon Road in Monroe with the intent of destroying the facility.

It is alleged that Vu enlisted the other defendants to build and help plant the device. Ohio Secretary of State records show that Vu owns two nail salons: Allure Nails Vu LLC and Love Nail Vu LLC.

An affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint details that on Feb. 5, surveillance camera footage shows Bishop and Rennick entering the salon. Rennick had made an appointment for a pedicure under the name “Katelynn,” allegedly at the direction of Vu for Rennick to get the latest nail appointment she can and to “Just use another name. Sound white.” Rennick is shown receiving her nail services.

Bishop allegedly sat near Rennick during the pedicure and is then seen walking toward the rear of the salon holding two white bags. Bishop placed one of the bags behind a desk before leaving the salon.

A salon employee then found the suspected device, which smelled like gasoline. The employee opened the package, seeing that it looked like an explosive device, and took it outside near the salon’s dumpsters. The employee later went back outside to check on the device and noticed that it was burning.

Monroe police officers responded to a call reporting a dumpster fire near the salon.

Text messages on Bishop’s and Rennick’s phones show the co-defendants planning the incident for at least one week.

Maliciously damaging or destroying property, or attempting to maliciously damage or destroy property, via a fire or explosive device is a federal crime punishable by a range of five to 20 years in prison. Conspiring to commit malicious destruction via fire is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; J. William Rivers, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division; Daryl S. McCormick, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); Angie Salazar, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); and Monroe Police Chief Bob Buchanan. Assistant United States Attorney Timothy S. Mangan is representing the United States in this case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

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