Iraq Veteran Nixes Plea in Trailer Fire over Restitution

A disabled Pennsyvlvania Iraq war veteran has refused a plea bargain on charges he tried to burn down a Fayette County mobile home saying he won’t repay an insurance company $43,000 as part of the deal.

On Monday, a judge had imposed a two- to four-year prison sentence against 25-year-old Salvatore Ross Jr., of Dunbar Township, and was explaining the restitution when Ross objected.

Ross told the judge that he had never agreed to pay for the February 2007 fire. District Attorney Nancy Vernon has confirmed that is true.

The judge has postponed the plea hearing indefinitely so Vernon and Ross’ attorney can hammer out the plea details.

Ross was blinded and lost a leg while defusing a bomb in Iraq in May 2003.