AUGUSTA — A man was sentenced Monday to 10 months in jail for setting a small fire in his own apartment building.
Bruce L. Murphy, 24, of Augusta, pleaded guilty in Kennebec County Superior Court to criminal mischief for damaging a State Street building belonging to Bread of Life Ministries. The offense occurred April 21.
In a separate case, Murphy had pleaded guilty April 8, 2009, to setting a 2006 fire to a two-unit Augusta apartment building in a bid for revenge against a tenant.
After his 2009 conviction, Murphy had been taking part in a specialty court program — the Co-Occurring Disorders Court — that helps offenders who are diagnosed with mental disorders and substance abuse.
Because of the new offense, his participation in that program was terminated.
Fowle said Murphy had made some progress while in the program. “He will be on a very strict probation when he gets out of jail,” Fowle said.
For the 2009 arson conviction, Murphy was sentenced to six years in prison, with all but 14 months suspended, and four years’ probation.
A codefendant in the arson that occurred Oct. 16, 2006, told police Murphy had gotten gasoline and poured it on several different areas around the building after making sure no one was living on the first floor.
The crime allegedly was aimed at the second-floor tenant, who was believed to have been involved in a drug rip-off.
Two firefighters were injured during the fire.
A number of other people were sentenced recently in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:
* Darren Adams, 26, of Winslow, two counts of domestic-violence assault July 21 in Winslow, and violating conditions of release July 23 in Waterville and Aug. 11 in Augusta; three-year jail sentence, all but four months suspended, and two years’ probation.
* Brandy L. Anderson, 20, gross sexual assault and unlawful sexual contact June 5, 2009, in West Gardiner; four-year jail sentence, all but nine months suspended, four years’ probation, lifetime sex-offender registration, conditions of probation include no contact with boys under age 16, $272 restitution.
* Billie Joe Bragg, 45, of Winslow, domestic-violence assault and aggravated assault June 26 in Waterville; five-year jail sentence, all but one year suspended, two years’ probation.
* Mary Hogan, 52, of Waterville, operating under the influence April 4 in Waterville; $600 fine, 90-day license suspension.
* Michelle P. Knights, 32, of Waterville, stealing drugs and violating conditions of release May 23 in Waterville; three-year jail sentence, all but 60 days suspended, two years’ probation.
* Adrian D. Moss, 38, of Waterville, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Aug. 23, 2010, in Gardiner; three-year jail sentence, all but 45 days suspended, two years’ probation.
* Scott York, 35, of Augusta, burglary and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer June 3 in Augusta; four-year jail sentence, all but 18 months suspended concurrent to 22-month probation revocation, two years’ probation, $80 restitution.
Betty Adams — 621-5631
badams@centralmaine.com
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