BORDERLAND

Toledo man guilty in east-side arson attempt

5/14/2014

A Toledo man is to be sentenced May 28 on two counts of attempted aggravated arson for a fire he set at an east side home.

Leon Hayes, 38, of 1232 Buckingham St., entered an Alford plea on the charges Monday in Lucas County Common Pleas Court and was then found guilty by Judge Frederick McDonald of the two counts. In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit to committing a crime, but acknowledges evidence is sufficient for a conviction that could result in a more severe sentence.

Matt Simko, an assistant Lucas County prosecutor, said that on Jan. 5, Hayes broke out a window in the 400 block of Navarre Avenue, threw lighter fluid inside, and tried to set a fire while four people slept in the house. The house sustained about $1,000 in damages.

Hayes, who is being held in the Lucas County jail, will be sentenced by Judge Gary Cook.