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Monroe firefighter pleads guilty to arson;
After the Sept. 23 fire, he crashed his truck, killing an accomplice.
Copyright 2003 The Morning Call, Inc.
Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
July 2, 2003 Wednesday FIRST EDITION
An 18-year-old Monroe County volunteer firefighter who set a trailer ablaze, then crashed his truck, killing an accomplice, as he drove to the fire company pleaded guilty to arson and two lesser charges Tuesday.
Ryan J. Campbell of Effort stood silently as his lawyer, Steven Vlossak, told Monroe County President Judge Ronald E. Vican about the plea bargain.
Vican accepted the plea, but deferred sentencing.
Campbell could be sentenced to as little as probation or as much as an 18- to 36-month prison sentence on the felony arson charge. Vlossak said he'll tell the judge about Campbell's entire life, rather than focus only on the Sept. 23 fire and wreck in Chestnuthill Township.
"He's a good kid," Vlossak said. "He had this one day when he made a lot of bad judgments."
Campbell, Daniel Dreisbach, 18, and Amanda Eckert, a Pleasant Valley High School classmate, skipped class that day and smoked marijuana together, police said.
Eckert, who wasn't charged, told police Dreisbach proposed setting a fire.
Campbell and Dreisbach set the fire with flares from Sun Valley Volunteer Fire Company, where both were firefighters, police said. Campbell crashed into a pole as he headed back toward the fire company, police said.
Police had charged Campbell with involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle, but agreed to drop them in December because there wasn't enough evidence.
Forensic pathologist Isidore Mihalakis said he could not conclude that marijuana was a factor in the crash, which killed Dreisbach. Also, Campbell was traveling under the 45 mph speed limit on Cameron Road when he wrecked.
Prosecutors dropped another arson charge and a charge of conspiracy to commit arson. In addition to the arson charge, Campbell pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
Campbell will be sentenced in two or three months.
County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Mancuso said earlier that she would seek an 111/2-month minimum sentence.
Campbell has been remorseful, Vlossak said. He also pointed out that he has a metal rod in his leg because of the crash injuries.
"He suffered mentally from this, as well as physically," Vlossak said.
Vlossak said he plans to point out at sentencing that Campbell wants to go to trade school. Vlossak will give the judge letters from teachers about his client's good character.
[email protected]
610-379-3223
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I find it utterly disgusting that this person could get as little as probation for what he did. Yeah, that would really make up for what he did.
Copyright 2003 The Morning Call, Inc.
Morning Call (Allentown, PA)
July 2, 2003 Wednesday FIRST EDITION
An 18-year-old Monroe County volunteer firefighter who set a trailer ablaze, then crashed his truck, killing an accomplice, as he drove to the fire company pleaded guilty to arson and two lesser charges Tuesday.
Ryan J. Campbell of Effort stood silently as his lawyer, Steven Vlossak, told Monroe County President Judge Ronald E. Vican about the plea bargain.
Vican accepted the plea, but deferred sentencing.
Campbell could be sentenced to as little as probation or as much as an 18- to 36-month prison sentence on the felony arson charge. Vlossak said he'll tell the judge about Campbell's entire life, rather than focus only on the Sept. 23 fire and wreck in Chestnuthill Township.
"He's a good kid," Vlossak said. "He had this one day when he made a lot of bad judgments."
Campbell, Daniel Dreisbach, 18, and Amanda Eckert, a Pleasant Valley High School classmate, skipped class that day and smoked marijuana together, police said.
Eckert, who wasn't charged, told police Dreisbach proposed setting a fire.
Campbell and Dreisbach set the fire with flares from Sun Valley Volunteer Fire Company, where both were firefighters, police said. Campbell crashed into a pole as he headed back toward the fire company, police said.
Police had charged Campbell with involuntary manslaughter and homicide by vehicle, but agreed to drop them in December because there wasn't enough evidence.
Forensic pathologist Isidore Mihalakis said he could not conclude that marijuana was a factor in the crash, which killed Dreisbach. Also, Campbell was traveling under the 45 mph speed limit on Cameron Road when he wrecked.
Prosecutors dropped another arson charge and a charge of conspiracy to commit arson. In addition to the arson charge, Campbell pleaded guilty to reckless endangerment and criminal mischief.
Campbell will be sentenced in two or three months.
County Assistant District Attorney Colleen Mancuso said earlier that she would seek an 111/2-month minimum sentence.
Campbell has been remorseful, Vlossak said. He also pointed out that he has a metal rod in his leg because of the crash injuries.
"He suffered mentally from this, as well as physically," Vlossak said.
Vlossak said he plans to point out at sentencing that Campbell wants to go to trade school. Vlossak will give the judge letters from teachers about his client's good character.
[email protected]
610-379-3223
-------------------------------------------------------------
I find it utterly disgusting that this person could get as little as probation for what he did. Yeah, that would really make up for what he did.
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