Arsonist sentenced to 6 months for vandalism

10/12/2006

VAN WERT, Ohio - A Lima man who is serving a prison term for setting fire to a mobile home where methamphetamine drugs were manufactured was given an additional six-month sentence for felony vandalism yesterday.

Andrew Black, 19, had been sent to prison in June for the arson of a mobile home in January.

The vandalism charge stems from Black cutting a hole with bolt cutters to enter the area of the mobile home.

Van Wert County Common Pleas Judge Charles Steele ruled that the six-month prison sentence would run concurrent with Black's two-year prison sentence.

Van Wert police said Black on Jan. 30 set fire to the mobile home that was used to manufacture the illegal drug. Two adults had been arrested and charged with possessing materials to manufacture the drug.

Andrew Black, 18, was charged with aggravated arson and burglary; his 14-year-old sister, whose name was not released, was charged with delinquency in connection with aggravated arson and burglary.

Van Wert police and fire departments responded to a fire at 1155 M Bell Ave. about 12:15 a.m. and found the mobile home engulfed in flames.