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Guilty plea to 13 burning charges in Eugene fires

The Columbian
Published: September 24, 2010, 12:00am

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.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com

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