Sun Nov 08 2009
By LISA NICELY
PAULDING -- One of three suspects in a string of arsons around Paulding County has admitted to his role in the fires.
Tyler Danberry, 18, Paulding, pleaded guilty to five counts of arson, each a fourth-degree felony, on Wednesday in county common pleas court.
Sentencing was set for 8:30 a.m. Oct. 17. The maximum penalty for each count is 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine, said common pleas court Judge J. David Webb, for a total maximum sentence of 90 months in prison and a $25,000 fine.
Danberry had originally pleaded not guilty, and his change of plea was part of a plea agreement.
"He's been very cooperative," said county Prosecutor Joseph Burkard, adding that the agreement did not include Danberry agreeing testify against his two codefendants. "I can subpoena him to testify. Typically in that situation, since I already know what he's told the officers, that was not part of the plea agreement."
Burkard added that the arsons were "a serious situation" that put "too many people at risk."
Danberry and 19-year-olds Josiah Stiltner of Cecil and Robert Bair II of Payne, were each charged with five counts of arson, all fourth-degree felonies.
Stiltner and Bair pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their combined trial is set for Sept. 16 in common pleas court.
According to the indictments, which were handed down by a county grand jury in July, the trio allegedly caused damage to barns owned by Ray Goings on Road 162 near Paulding on May 15; county commissioners on Road 192 near Cecil, May 16; Black Swamp Conservancy on Road 73 near Cecil, May 23; and Lucille Ziegler on Road 60 near Grover Hill, May 27. Also, on May 27, the indictment alleges Six Mile Christian Church on Road 210 near Paulding was set on fire.
The Ohio Farm Bureau Federation had offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whomever was burning barns and other structures.
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