CLEARFIELD– A DuBois man pleaded guilty to six counts of arson Friday during sentencing court.
Brady Dillon-Michael Burkett, 24, was sentenced to 13 months to three years in state prison by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman.
He must also pay $15,000 in restitution.
The charges stem from incidents beginning in February of 2018, when police and fire departments responded to six mobile home fires and one shed fire in the Timetobid Road area in Sandy Township.
Prior to sentencing, Burkett told Ammerman that he is “not a bad person” and that he was sorry.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the first fire on Feb. 16, 2018 at 19 Timetobid Rd., was at a vacant trailer that spread to a shed and then to an occupied trailer. It caused damage in excess of $15,000.
More fires followed in the next few months with all of them determined to be arson.
After the last incident on May 30, 2018, it was discovered that Burkett was seen outside of the residence just prior to the fire, police said.
Burkett was also seen on surveillance footage obtained from a camera installed in the area.
In the footage, police saw a man walk from the area of 32 Timetobid Rd., which is Burkett’s address, to the scene of the fire and then back again.
When he was interviewed by police, Burkett reportedly confessed to entering the residence and using a lighter to ignite a couch cushion.
He then confessed to starting all the fires in the neighborhood.
On the date of the first fire, he said he was shooting bottle rockets when one of the rockets entered the shed and started a fire, which he said he tried to put out. It spread to an unoccupied trailer and then to an occupied trailer, he said.
When this happened, Burkett said he alerted the elderly lady in the second trailer and called 911.
The other fires were set by lighting various items including, bubble wrap, clothing, manila folders and grass, according to the report.