Former Firefighter Sentenced to 10 Years for Igniting What Became Arizona's Largest Wildfire

AP ^ | Mar. 8, 2004

[nuconvert]

Former Firefighter Sentenced to 10 Years for Igniting What Became Arizona's Largest Wildfire

Mar 8, 2004

By Anabelle Garay/ Associated Press Writer

PHOENIX (AP) - A former firefighter who admitted igniting what became the biggest wildfire in Arizona history was sentenced Monday to 10 years in prison. Leonard Gregg, who told authorities he was trying to make work for himself, pleaded guilty Oct. 20 in federal court to two counts of intentionally setting a fire. Gregg, 31, made no plea agreement and was given the maximum prison sentence.

He was also ordered to pay $27 million in restitution.

The fire started June 18, 2002, by Gregg, a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, merged with another started by a woman who was lost in the woods and trying to attract the attention of a helicopter.

The fire burned 469,000 acres in eastern Arizona, destroying hundreds of homes and forcing 30,000 people to evacuate. It also burned sacred Apache sites and accelerated the expected demise of the White Mountain Apache Tribe's timber business.

Gregg was a part-time firefighter with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He had earlier sparked a fire near Cibecue, in hopes of being called to work, prosecutors said. When he was not called to fight that fire, which was quickly contained, Gregg started the second fire, prosecutors said.

He was arrested about 10 days later.

Gregg's attorney previously argued that he suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and functions at a low level emotionally and intellectually.

Federal prosecutors did not seek charges against the woman who set the other fire.

[nuconvert]

"told authorities he was trying to make work for himself"

Now he can make license plates.

[doug from upland]

Too bad a certain Naval officer who turned on his troops didn't get 10 years.

[Old Sarge]

Now, how are They going to spin this, so "It's George W. Bush's Fault"?

[randog]

Now, how are They going to spin this, so "It's George W. Bush's Fault"?

From the article: The fire started June 18, 2002...

It happened on his (GW's) watch, ergo it has to be his fault.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

ping

[farmfriend]

Rights, farms, environment ping.
Let me know if you wish to be added or removed from this list.
I don't get offended if you want to be removed.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Elites being groomed for Democrat Massachusetts senator automatically receive a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card. Didn't you get the memo?

[3catsanadog]

Gregg's attorney previously argued that he suffers from fetal alcohol syndrome and functions at a low level emotionally and intellectually.

Sure. But he was shrewd enough to plan to get more work from himself.

[breakem]

unless he's 90 the sentence is too light

[squidly]

He was also ordered to pay $27 million in restitution.

So for the rest of his life, all money he makes above what the government judges to be a subsistence wage will go towards the fine. Sounds okay to me.

[Doctor Stochastic]

A New Deal type "make work" plan?

[E.G.C.]

BTT!!!!!!

[illumini]

http://www.tejavia.com/pages/401886/index.htm