BUCYRUS — Two men pleaded guilty to arson and were sentenced in Crawford County Common Pleas Court.
Randy Justice, 65, of Mt. Gilead appeared in court with his attorney Andrew Wick, and entered a guilty plea to one count of aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, punishable with up to 11 years in prison.
Justice admitted to committing arson on a residence located at 746 Boyd Avenue in Galion. Per the plea agreement, Justice will spend the next four years in prison. He was given credit for jail time served.
When asked if he had anything to say to the court upon sentencing, Justice apologized to the court.
“My heart and brain took over my head,” Justice said.
Justice is to remain on house arrest until his report date. He is expected to report to the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for transport to prison on March 18 at 7 p.m.
Another defendant, Willie Brewer, 52, of Willard was sentenced in the same case on Tuesday.
Brewer also pleaded guilty to setting a fire at 746 Boyd Ave. Brewer was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold. He will receive credit for 72 days already served in jail.
Brewer reportedly received a lengthier sentence due to prior felony murder charges for which he served nearly 20 years in prison.
Both Justice and Brewer were ordered by Leuthold to register as arson offenders for life. They are required to register in person with the sheriff of the county in which they establish residence within ten days of coming into that county following their prison sentences.
They must provide the sheriff with the details of their convictions, a description of any scars, tattoos or other distinguishing marks on their person, as well as providing the address of their employment or where they attend school.
They must produce copies of driver’s licenses numbers, commercial license numbers or any state identification assigned to them and report any changes in address or employment, while registering annually.