First Degree Arson, in East Providence Rhode Island
Charges
- First Degree Arson, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 11-4-2;
- Vandalizing Alarms or Call Boxes or False Alarms, in violation of R.I.G.L. § 11-44-21
Court Information
East Providence, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Superior Court (Providence County)
Case Overview
East Providence Police responded to an apartment building for reports of an active fire in the stairwell. Firefighters successfully extinguished the fire. Through investigative efforts and video surveillance, the Fires Marshall determined that the fire was set intentionally and positively identified the perpetrator, a resident of the building who started the fire as part of an ongoing feud with his neighbors. Police arrested the man and charged him with First Degree Arson and Vandalizing Alarms or Call Boxes or False Alarms. Because the man was on probation, he was also presented as a probation violator in Superior Court, where he was ordered held without bail on the violation. The man hired Rhode Island Criminal Defense Lawyer, John L. Calcagni III, to defend him.
The man was on probation with more than 20 years hanging in terms of a suspended sentence for a prior robbery. Attorney Calcagni immediately began negotiations with the prosecutor to resolve the matter. The man received one year to serve for his admitted probation violation. Once released, after several pretrial conferences, Attorney Calcagni negotiated a plea agreement that called for the man’s plea of Nolo Contendere to the amended or reduced charge of Fourth Degree Arson in exchange for a sentence of 3 years ACI, full, 1 year to serve and the balance of 2 years to be suspended, but affording the man with full-credit for the time spent on the probation violation, thereby enabling him to avoid any further punishment.
Case Results
Amended to Fourth Degree Arson and Sentence of 3 years ACI, full, 1 year to serve and balance of 2 years to be suspended with probation, and full credit for time spent incarcerated for violating probation