Thomas Smith leaves a Brown County courtroom after his sentencing Feb. 8, 2024, for a series of arson fires. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Thomas Smith was sentenced Thursday to nine years in prison for a series of fires at storage facilities.
Smith, 61, was previously convicted of three counts of arson, burglary, theft, and possession of burglarious tools for fires in March through May 2021.
Smith was also placed on extended supervision for four years. He must write apology letters to the victims, and was banned from owning ‘burning materials.’
Prosecutors requested more than $200,000 in restitution for 11 victims, but another hearing will be held June 14 to finalize that amount.
Before the sentence was issued, Smith apologized for actions and asked for forgiveness.
While technically a property crime, Judge Timothy Hinkfuss noted sentimental value of some of the items destroyed, as well as the danger posed by the fire element of the crime.
“Yeah, these are property crimes. But they all include fire and flame. And it goes back a long time. You have a fascination with arson, in flame, in setting things on fire. Someday, someone is going to get hurt or killed because of what you have done. It isn’t OK to do this in society. It’s a criminal activity, and you need to recognize that,” Judge Hinkfuss said.
Among the incidents cited in the criminal complaints:
A March 18, 2021, fire at Lok-Safe Storage
A May 5, 2021, fire at S&B Trailer Sales, Suamico, where four trailers were damaged
A May 5, 2021, fire at Joe Schmit Motors, Little Suamico, where three vehicles were damaged
A May 5, 2021, fire in Suamico, where an ice shanty was damaged
A May 6, 2021, fire at Peters Concrete, where a camper and trailer were damaged
A July 19, 2020, vehicle fire in Green Bay
Smith gave a statement to police, admitting to setting multiple fires, and recounting his steps.
“I feel bad about these fires and I am sorry about that. I knew that stealing and setting the fires was the wrong and illegal thing to do,” his statement says.
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