More Arson and Theft Cases in the News

Posted by: Curt Varone September 19, 2012 0

Three volunteer firefighters in three different states are in the news today for misconduct, and the charges are no surprise: arson and theft from a volunteer fire department.

In Idaho, an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter has been arrested for setting a wildfire fire that has already claimed one home and burned over 250 acres. Nathaniel Bartholomew, a firefighter with the Clear Creek Fire Department, was arrested Monday evening while he was actively fighting the Karney Fire that at the time was only 15% contained.

In North Carolina, a deputy chief and treasurer of a volunteer department has been charged with embezzling $300,000 from the department. Joey Burgette was arrested last week on eight felony counts. According to police, the 42-year-old deputy chief from the Warsaw Fire Department also served as department treasurer.

And in Defiance, Ohio, a volunteer firefighter was arrested for setting a riding lawnmower inside his garage on fire last June. Mark Paul Seibert, 29, is facing  two aggravated arson counts in Defiance County Common Pleas Court. The fire occurred on June 18, 2012. According to news reports, the offenses were considered aggravated because someone was sleeping inside the house at the time. Seibert was affiliated with several area fire departments, including Defiance City Fire Department, South Richland and Highland Township fire departments. He also volunteered with the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office.

More on Idaho.

More on North Carolina.

More on Ohio.Buy a New, Used Car, Truck or SUV, Get Prices and Kelley Blue Book Values at www.WITNCars.com, WITN, Washington, Greenville, New Bern, NC:

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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