Ohio Volunteer Firefighters Get Probation for Setting Fire

Oct. 24, 2004
Three volunteer firefighters who set fire to a house on Oct. 4 have been placed on probation.
NAVARRE, Ohio (AP) -- Three volunteer firefighters who set fire to a house on Oct. 4 have been placed on probation.

Michael Cross, 20, Aaron C. Minnis, 23, and Donald L. Lee Jr., 28, were convicted of misdemeanor charges as part of an agreement reached Friday before their scheduled appearance in Massillon Municipal Court.

The men initially were charged with felonies. Cross and Minnis were found guilty of arson and Lee was convicted of complicity to commit arson.

Village prosecutor Lawrence E. Chapanar said the fire was a bad lapse in judgment by three good individuals with no prior criminal record.

``It was a bad mistake and I believe alcohol was involved in the planning stages,'' he said.

Police say the men set fire to a vacant house in the middle of the night. No one was injured.

Police say the men were among the 11 volunteer firefighters who arrived to fight the fire.

The men resigned from the fire department as part of the deal and will pay restitution to the victim and village.

Navarre is about 10 miles west of Canton.

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