EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — A 22-year-old man has pleaded guilty to 13 arson or reckless burning charges in a series of March fires in west Eugene.
Police say Mathew Rossi of Eugene set 11 separate fires in a four-day period beginning March 5. Among the buildings damaged were the Wetlands Pub, the Eugene Faith Center and a new building under construction for the local St. Vincent de Paul charity.
Rossi also pleaded guilty Thursday to two misdemeanor assault charges.
A Lane County grand jury indicted Rossi on 32 counts. As part of a plea deal, the remaining charges will be dismissed. The Register-Guard says Rossi will receive a 10-year prison sentence.
Arson Detective Dan Lane estimates the fires caused $350,000 in damage at six locations. Also damaged were a trailer rig parked at a loading dock, a storage container at a vacant car dealership lot and the back wall of an occupied duplex.