Thursday, August 23, 2007

Arsonists Enter Guilty Pleas

   Officials report that two individuals have pleaded guilty in court to intentionally setting two separate fires, resulting in prison sentences.

   During a press conference held Wednesday morning, Fire Investigator Shayne Adams of the Lawrenceburg Fire Department indicated that Eddie Dean Staggs had entered a guilty plea to one count of arson in connection with a May 10 fire at a house located at 211 McDowell Street.

   The fire, which was ignited around 5:30 p.m., resulted in the destruction of the vacant structure.

   As a result if the plea, Staggs was handed a prison sentence of three years.

   In the second case, James Nolan Skirvin was charged with arson and other charges in connection with an arson fire that occurred at 1108 Clearview Avenue on September 9, 2006. The 4:53 a.m. fire occurred at a triplex structure owned by the Lawrenceburg Housing Authority. At the time the fire was set, the triplex was occupied by five individuals.

   In court Tuesday, Skirvin entered a plea of guilty to the arson charge, as well as five counts of aggravated assault. Skirvin received a prison sentence of fifteen years.

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