Former firefighters plead guilty to arson
Two former South Connellsville volunteer firefighters pleaded guilty to arson charges lodged against them in Fayette County Court and must forever refrain from being firefighters as part of the plea deal. Michael Helms, 27, and Robert Helms, 22, both of Connellsville, entered guilty pleas to the charges lodged against them during a court hearing earlier this week. The men were charged last summer with setting three fires in 2005.
Robert Helms was charged with setting an April 10, 2005, fire on the property of Carl, Carol and Rosie Striner and an April 16, 2005, fire on property owned by Patrick Foley. Michael Helms was charged with setting an April 15, 2005, fire on Foley’s property.
According to the criminal complaint, about an acre of property owned by the Striner family was destroyed, and a total of 60 wooded acres owned by Foley was leveled.
Under terms of the plea deal, Robert Helms will serve three to 12 months in prison. His brother will serve a term of probation. Both men must make restitution.
At an October preliminary hearing, fellow firefighter Steve Ritenour said that on different occasions, Robert and Michael Helms indicated to him that they had firsthand knowledge about what started the fires.
As firefighters were exiting the Foley property fire on April 17, Ritenour said that Robert Helms told him that he “loved setting fires.”
Special agent Dennis Dansak with the state Attorney General’s office charged the men in August.
Dansak testified at the Helms’ brothers preliminary hearing that Robert Helms admitted to setting one of the fires during a recorded conversation with another fireman.
“He said that if he is charged with setting any fires, he would set the largest fire Connellsville has ever seen,” Dansak testified.
Michael Helms is charged with single counts of arson by endangering property; arson by reckless burning or exploding; risking a catastrophe; causing fire on or within woodlots, forests or wild lands; agricultural vandalism; criminal mischief; and failure to control or report dangerous fires.
Robert Helms is charged with two counts each of arson by endangering property; arson by reckless burning or exploding; risking a catastrophe; causing fire on or within woodlots, forests or wild lands; failure to control or report dangerous fires; and agricultural vandalism.
Both men will remain free, each on a $100,000 bond, until their June sentencing before Judge Steve P. Leskinen.
Before the pleas were taken, two county judges recused themselves from hearing the case.
Judge John F. Wagner Jr. recused himself from hearing the case because he knows the Helms family. Judge Ralph C. Warman recused himself because he worked with the Helms’ father, Michael Helms, in his capacity as the police chief for South Connellsville.
The borough’s fire chief, Steve Helms, is their brother.