Arson suspect makes plea bargain
A Springfield Township man charged with setting fire to several Fayette County businesses and homes could spend upwards of 10 years in prison, according to a tentative plea agreement reached by prosecutors and defense counsel. Robert Franklin Ray Jr., 25, of 1066 Tabor Road, appeared Tuesday before magisterial district justices Robert Breakiron and Dwight Shaner and waived the multiple felony charges filed against him to court in exchange for two 2 1/2- to 5-year jail sentences.
A Fayette County Court of Common Pleas judge must approve the agreement.
Defense counsel, attorney Nicholas Timperio, said Tuesday that the deal was the result of discussions with state police investigators and Fayette County District Attorney Nancy Vernon.
“He will serve the (jail sentences) consecutively for the fire set at the Dollar General Store in Bullskin Township and a home along Mount Tabor Road,” he said. “The sentences for the remaining six fires will be concurrently served.”
In the complaint filed by the state police fire marshal, trooper William Large, Ray allegedly set fire to the Dollar General Store at 111 Crossroads Road on Dec. 12 while employees were in the store.
Police allege that Ray returned to the same store on Feb. 8 and again set fire to the building, prompting the evacuation of several other businesses located within the Warehouse Grocery complex and causing major interior damage to the discount store.
Police also allege Ray set fire to a home at 1050 Mount Tabor Road in Springfield Township on Jan. 11.
Police allege that before setting the second fire at the Dollar General Store, Ray set fire to the BFS Store on Memorial Boulevard in Dunbar Township.
Ray also is charged with returning to the convenience store on Feb. 14 and setting a second fire.
On Feb. 22, Ray is accused of setting fire to the Dollar Tree in North Union Township and on Feb. 23 to the Ye Olde Inn in Dunbar Township. He also is charged with setting fire to a 230 Circle Drive home in Bullskin Township.
Police charged Ray with 14 felony arson counts in connection to the separate incidents.
Ray remains in Fayette County Prison on a combined $215,000 bond.