Ala. trio plead guilty to woods arson charges

Published 11:44 am Wednesday, November 19, 2008

DOUBLE SPRINGS (AP) – Two men and an 18-year-old girl have each pleaded guilty to intentionally setting fire to woodlands in Winston County.

Elisha Ballentine, a spokeswoman for the Alabama Forestry Commission, said all three Winston County residents recently pleaded guilty to six counts of arson.

The trio were arrested March 27.

29-year-old Gregory Wilson; 26-year-old Shannon Bartlett; and an 18-year-old female granted youthful offender status were each was given suspended sentences of six years to six month in jail and must pay fines ranging from $12,000 to $3,000.

Forestry officials said the fires were set on private and federal lands on March 12th.