Former Idaho Vol. Firefighter Sentenced for Setting Several Fires

POCATELLO, Idaho — A former volunteer firefighter who admitted to setting several blazes last year was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Monday.

Glenn Anthony Thor was charged with four counts total of felony third-degree arson in two different cases. In December, he pleaded guilty to two counts, one in each case. Each carries a maximum sentence 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

During Thor’s sentencing on Monday, Vic Pearson , Bannock County chief deputy prosecutor, pointed out the seriousness of the defendant’s actions, and the potential damage to homes and property that could have occurred, even though he attempted to set each fire at a time when conditions were poor for the blaze to thrive.

“Fire is a wild beast and no one can tell what it is going to do,” Pearson said. “This is an incredibly dangerous situation that could have turned out worse that it did.”

He also pointed out a prior felony Thor had roughly 10 years ago, and the fact that the defendant, when sent on a rider, was unable to complete the program and ultimately ended up serving time in prison.

Pearson recommended Thor be sentenced to three years fixed and five years indeterminate on each and that they should run concurrent to each other.

Thor’s attorney, Bannock County Deputy Public Defender Kent Reynolds, said his client’s taking accountability for his actions needed to be considered during sentencing.

“He knows what he has done and he knows there is a price to pay,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds said Thor’s mental health condition needed to be taken into account and suggested the defendant would prosper with a second rider. He suggested an underlying sentence of two years fixed and four years indeterminate.

In addressing Naftz, Thor said he was sorry for setting the fire and acknowledged that he disappointed a number of people.

In sentencing Thor to three years fixed and seven years indeterminate in each count, Naftz said he had to take into account the defendant’s inability to successfully complete probation in the past. He also made it clear a significant sentence was warranted.

“I think a lower sentence would depreciate the seriousness of the crime,” he said. “There needs to be a sentence that shows how serious this was.”

Naftz ran both sentences concurrent.