Hudson firefighter, 19, pleads guilty to two counts of arson

BANGOR – A volunteer firefighter from Hudson pleaded guilty Wednesday in Penobscot County Superior Court to setting ablaze two vacant buildings so he would be able to use his skills putting them out.

Charles E. St. Lawrence, 19, pleaded guilty to two counts of arson for fires in April 2004 and October 2003.

The plea agreement between prosecutors and St. Lawrence’s defense attorney, Matthew Erickson of Bangor, recommends a sentence of six years in prison with all but nine months suspended and six months probation.

Dressed in blue jeans and a blue, hooded sweat shirt, St. Lawrence showed no emotion during the 20-minute hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Roberts, who is prosecuting the case, told the court that St. Lawrence had admitted setting the two fires as an adult and several other fires before he turned 18 in September 2003.

St. Lawrence joined the Hudson Volunteer Fire Department when he was 14, Roberts said.

A sentencing date has not been set.

The maximum sentence for Class A arson is 40 years and a fine of up to $50,000 per count.

Superior Court Justice S. Kirk Studstrup ordered St. Lawrence to undergo a psychological evaluation before his sentencing is scheduled.

“I assume no person was in either structure and that neither fire endangered other structures,” the judge said Wednesday. “If either of those were present, I’m not certain I would accept the plea agreement.”

Roberts said that both buildings were empty, no other structures were in jeopardy and one firefighter suffered minor injuries fighting one of the fires. He also said that St. Lawrence did not gain financially from the fires.

The fire on Oct. 3, 2003, gutted a Hudson Road home and destroyed a nearby barn and shed. Fire department personnel from Glenburn, Bradford, Kenduskeag and Corinth assisted Hudson firefighters. Crews were on the scene for 13 hours.