A Connecticut man received a three-year prison sentence for a series of arsons in 2023 when he was a juvenile, including one that destroyed a historical church in Eastford.
The unnamed defendant was sentenced in Superior Court in Danielson on Sept. 5 by Judge Ernest Green, Jr. to 20 years in prison, suspended after three years served, followed by a period of five years of probation, according to a statement from the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice.
On April 23, 2023, the Connecticut State Police responded to the Congregational Church of Eastford at 8 Church Road for a blaze that tore through the local landmark that was built in 1829, state police said. The Eastford Town Fire Marshal requested assistance from the Connecticut State Police Fire and Explosives Investigation Unit.
Investigators also believed that a fire that damaged buildings in Crystal Pond Park in Woodstock was likely related, court records show.
Due to the nature of the crimes, the case was transferred to adult court, where the man pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree arson on June 20.
Two juveniles charged in multiple break-ins and arsons, including one at CT church
“The damage in this case extends far beyond the buildings that were burned,” said Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney Jacqueline P. McMahon who prosecuted the case. “Those buildings were gathering places for the community that held generational memories for the people of the towns. The emotional impact of the damage will continue long after the buildings have been rebuilt.”
As part of the sentence, the defendant was also order to make restitution payments to the Congregational Church of Eastford, “which suffered financial loss exceeding $1 million,” according to the DCJ.
The Windham Judicial District State’s Attorney’s Office extended its “sincere thanks” to the Connecticut State Police Eastern District Major Crime Squad, the South Windsor Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives “for their thorough investigations and handling of the case, and the members of the fire departments who responded and suppressed the flames,” the DCJ said.
Information from Courant reporter Justin Muszynski was used in this report.
