Convicted serial arsonist admits to setting fire to Augusta Township home
A repeat arsonist who torched an Augusta Township home over the summer is heading back to prison.
Gregory Craig, 45, pleaded guilty to one count of arson of a dwelling in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, records show. Counts of breaking and entering with intent to commit arson, and being a habitual offender will be dismissed at sentencing Feb. 3.
Gregory Craig
State of Michigan
Craig was deemed competent to stand trial after evaluations over the summer and was scheduled to undergo further psychological evaluations before his trial in March, records show. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing late last year.
Michigan State Police troopers arrested Craig near the scene of a suspicious fire that destroyed a home in the 7000 block of Talladay Road in Augusta Township in June. The home was vacant, and no one was injured.
Craig served more than six years in prison for setting multiple house fires in Ypsilanti from 1999 to 2002. He was paroled in 2008, prison records show. He remains in custody pending sentencing.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
Ricebrnr
Sat, Jan 15, 2011 : 4:54 p.m.
Better ban matches, lighters and gasoline lest others get wacky and become firebugs too!
mr54
Sat, Jan 15, 2011 : 9:17 a.m.
First he did it in Ypsi then Augusta Twp where i live. This man is a serial arsonist. Let him out and he'll do it again. He was paroled in 08? Who knows what he did between 08 and last June.Lock him up and throw a way the key.
average joe
Sat, Jan 15, 2011 : 9:04 a.m.
What's ironic is that I believe this particular (condemned?)house was to be burned in a practice exercise by Augusta fire dept. Not that this man's actions were ok, but this fire should have ended up being a 'true' fire to practice on with response time, etc. Competent or not, this man should be getting some help in prison.
ffej440
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 12:29 p.m.
So what is the point of habitual offender laws if they are just being dropped? The whole purpose was to keep people like him away from us. Six years made no change- He should get as much time as can be given.If this was a plea deal it makes no sense, he would have been found guilty on all counts. Sure would like an explanation as to why these charges were dropped.
dading dont delete me bro
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 12:15 p.m.
this guy obviously has a problem. let's hope he doesn't get out and get an opportunity to do it again. his next home could be yours
Cash
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 11:49 a.m.
That house was really just a tiny windowless shell in the middle of nowhere...no outbuildings etc. Not that it makes it okay, but to clarify, that house should have been burned down by the volunteer fire dept ages ago. I would really wonder if arsonists can be helped. Clearly he's a danger but I'm curious if there really is any help for an arsonist, because prison sure won't help him. It just keeps him confined for a period of time, This is one of the times I wish AA.com could follow through.... and interview a doctor at UM about the arsonist profile and if they can be helped or not. I have no idea, but I am curious.
mr54
Fri, Jan 14, 2011 : 11:19 a.m.
Yeah, let him out in another 6 years or so he can do it again.