A former Amite, La., police officer, who also served as a volunteer firefighter in Roseland, has pleaded guilty to 13 counts of simple arson.
District Judge Elizabeth Wolfe sentenced 23-year-old Lee Allen Widas to five years in jail and ordered him to make restitution.
Widas, of Roseland, was arrested March 8 while fighting a fire in his hometown. Under questioning, Widas admitted setting six fires but gave no reason for doing so. Tangipahoa Parish District Attorney Scott Perrilloux says Widas was later booked with setting seven other blazes.
Police Chief Jerry Trabona suspended him shortly after his arrest.
State fire marshal’s investigators say the fires in the Amite area occurred while Widas was on police duty, and the Roseland fires happened while he was off duty. Three of the fires were schools — Amite Elementary, Northwood High and Oak Forest Academy.
Information from: The Daily Star, www.hammondstar.com
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Baltic Sea Countries to Check Insurance on Tankers Moving Russian Oil 
It’s Beginning to Look Like Another Record for Holiday Travel 
Here’s a Look at the $100 Billion in Disaster Relief in the Government Spending Bill 
Google Contract Staff Reach Union Deal Banning Keystroke Monitoring 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.