Saturday, June 26, 1999
Bloomville library arsonist gets 5 years
By Malinda Ruble
Staff Writer
More than a year and a half after a fire ripped through the Bliss Memorial Public Library, a Norwalk man has been sentenced for the crime.
Jesse Ream, 18, 23 Newton Terrace, Apt. 2B, appeared before Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff Thursday for his sentencing on the fourth-degree felony charge of arson and aggravated arson, a second-degree felony.
He was sentenced to 17 months in prison for the arson charge and an additional five years for aggravated arson.
The two sentences are to be served concurrently. Ream also will be placed on post release control.
The fire, which caused between $80,000-$100,000 in damages, occurred just days after the library hosted a grand opening for the newly renovated facility in September 1997.
The library was renovated a second time and later reopened.