Arsonist who victimized mother to be sentenced

Sunday, Aug. 22, 1999 | 4:17 a.m.

Michael Eugene Stewart, 18, pleaded guilty last week in district court to one count of first-degree arson in the case.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will dismiss a second arson charge against him stemming from a subsequent fire at the house of his mother's boss.

Prosecutors also will drop charges in an unrelated case stemming from his alleged plot to have false attempted murder charges filed against his father.

The blaze at his mother's house caused about $12,000 in damage. His mother managed to escape from the burning house without injury.

Stewart was accused of setting a fire at the home of a local dentist four days later. That blaze was extinguished before causing major damage.

Stewart faces up to 15 years in prison and a $15,000 fine at his sentencing.

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