Charges split between pair accused of $1 million arson
One of the young men accused of starting a June fire that destroyed a Lemon Creek self-storage building won't face a felony arson charge, under a plea agreement. But prosecutors said a second suspect is expected to plead guilty to arson.
The fire destroyed 280 storage units at the Juneau Self-Storage facility, caused more than $1 million in damage and endangered the lives of several firefighters who nearly fell into the burning building when its roof collapsed.
Michael Thomas Blevins, 22, and Cricencio Bagoyo III, 23, were arrested in connection with the fire and a separate burglary at Gastineau Human Services, both on June 2.
Blevins pleaded guilty today in Juneau Superior Court to one count of second-degree theft, a felony, stemming from the break-in at GHS, a corrections halfway house and social service agency. He also admitted to violating the conditions of his probation, a misdemeanor.
One count each of first-degree arson, felony second-degree burglary and misdemeanor possession of burglary tools were dismissed as part of a plea agreement between defense attorney Michael O'Brien and District Attorney Rick Svobodny.
A sentence of seven years and six months with three years suspended was recommended to Superior Court Judge Larry Weeks as part of the plea agreement. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 16.
"We felt if we took the plea it would save him some jail time," O'Brien said in an interview. "He's told me the other guy (Bagoyo) set the fire and he was just part of the scheme. ... He admits to being there."
Bagoyo is facing the same charges Blevins did before today's court hearing. Svobodny said during the hearing Bagoyo is expected to plead guilty to arson as part of a plea agreement with his attorney, assistant public defender Rob Meachum.
Svobodny declined comment on either case until after sentencing. Meachum was unavailable for comment by the Empire's midday deadline.
Svobodny said at the hearing that Blevins and Bagoyo began June 2 by breaking into an office at GHS. The two stole more than $1,000 cash and several credit cards from a deposit bag before crossing the street to the Juneau Self-Storage unit, Svobodny said.
O'Brien said Blevins maintains he never intended to set a fire and didn't know it was part of the plan. But Bagoyo found lighter fluid and decided to torch the facility to cover up fingerprints they may have left in the building, O'Brien alleged.
The next day Blevins was arrested by police while trying to cross into Canada. Bagoyo also was arrested June 3 in New York and extradited to Juneau, Svobodny said.
Original reports from GHS estimated the burglars stole about $49,000 in checks and $4,000 in cash from the office. Police investigator Kris Sell declined comment on how much property was stolen from the storage facility or how much was recovered. The fire left little, if anything, for storage-unit owners to salvage.
Blevins has at least nine known prior convictions since 1999, which include burglary, theft and criminal mischief, court records showed. Blevins was on felony probation from offenses of 2000 when he committed the June 2 crimes. He also recently pleaded no contest to an unrelated misdemeanor charge of sixth-degree misconduct involving a controlled substance stemming from an offense of July 26.
Blevins was out on bail from the June crimes when he committed the July offense, according to the state prison's booking office. Magistrate John W. Sivertsen sentenced him to 15 days in jail, and a $50 surcharge on that charge.
Melanie Plenda can be reached at mplenda@juneauempire.com.