Monticello, NY – A former lieutenant with the Town of Lumberland Fire Company will spend up to four years in prison for deliberately setting two fires.

Joshua Hunt, 25, of Glen Spey, admitted to setting two separate fires on High Road in August of 2009.  At the time of the fires, Hunt was a Lieutenant in the Lumberland Fire Company.  Under the terms of the plea agreement, Hunt’s maximum sentenced was capped at 3 to 9 years in state prison. 

District Attorney Jim Farrell said his office recommended that Hunt be sentenced to 3 to 9 years. 

County Judge Frank LaBuda imposed a sentence of 1 1/3 to 4 years in state prison

“Hunt betrayed his fellow firefighters when he decided, instead of protecting life and property, to destroy property and endanger the lives of others and my office recommended the higher sentence because of this fact and the fact that Hunt set two separate fires.  While I am disappointed that he did not receive the higher sentence, I am pleased that the Court did impose a state prison sentence here.”, Farrell said.

Hunt will be barred under state law from any role in the fire service in the future due to his arson conviction. 

The case was investigated by the Sullivan County Bureau of Fire, Fire Determiners, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and the New York State Police.

(Source: MidHudsonNews)