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Former Firefighter Pleads Guilty To Arson

Former Firefighter Pleads Guilty To Arson - Friday, November 16, 2007 at 3:41PM EST

Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Friday, Nov 16, 2007 @03:41pm EST
STROUDSBURG - Matthew Grebb kept quiet as he left the Monroe County Courthouse after he plead guilty to setting four fires over the last few years. Grebb set those fires while he was a firefighter for the Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Department. That department's chief Larry Cramer said, "Just luckily none of our firemen or no people got hurt in his actions."

Cramer remembered the day police arrested Grebb. "I just tried to ask him why and he just said he messed up was all he could tell me," he said.

Grebb admitted he set fires at two homes, a business and a nature conservancy building. He caused more than $225,000 in damages.

Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Chris Jones said, "An aggregate sentenced, he could be looking at or exposing himself to 80 years of incarceration and a $100,000 fine because arson is a very serious charge in Pennsylvania."

Grebb was accused of setting at least three other fires but as part of the plea agreement he will not be prosecuted for those.

Since Grebb's arrest the Barrett Township Volunteer Fire Department has put some new rules into place including requiring background checks on new recruits. "We have the police do background checks now and we changed our application to the fire company, they have to use references."

The Chief says the department never had a firefighter who set fires before Matthew Grebb. He added, "I hope he gets help, gets himself straightened out."

Grebb is currently out on bail. His sentencing date has not yet been set.

In addition to facing jail time and fines, Grebb will also have to pay between $600,000 and $700,000 in restitution.
 


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