OCONTO, WI (WTAQ) – A man convicted of a Christmas Eve 2013 arson to a bar will spend 20 years in prison.
41-year-old Donald Tappa was also placed on 10 years extended supervision, according to Oconto County Clerk of Courts Mike Hodkiewicz.
Tappa’s arson sentence will not start until after he finishes a 10-year sentence for a prior burglary conviction. Hodkiewicz said that he was revoked and ordered to serve that time after he was charged in the fire at the Log Jam Saloon.
The other sentences issued Friday, including burglary, theft and criminal damage to property, were all concurrent to the arson sentence.
Authorities say their initial investigation at the Log Jam Saloon showed signs of burglary and that the fire was set on purpose. Tappa was spotted sitting in a vehicle across the street from the bar just before the fire was reported by an officer.
Prosecutors say someone broke into a safe, jukebox and ATM machine at the bar. According to 2 witnesses, Tappa was seen with large amounts of $20 bills the next day.
Investigators later found prying tools and a reciprocating saw in Tappa’s apartment, along with a garage he had access to.
Tappa was convicted by a jury in October.
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