By Associated Press - Monday, July 29, 2019

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A former volunteer firefighter accused of setting fires in southwestern North Dakota has been sentenced to serve five years in prison.

Twenty-six-year-old John Iszler was sentenced Monday to concurrent five-year sentences on two counts of arson, meaning he’ll serve the sentences at the same time.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland also ordered Iszler to pay nearly $4 million in restitution.



Iszler was accused of setting buildings on fire in Elgin in late 2017 and early 2018, including a farm equipment dealership that was destroyed. Authorities say Iszler sometimes returned to the scene to help battle the flames.

The Bismarck Tribune reports Iszler declined an opportunity to speak before he was sentenced.

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Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com

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