Jul 16, 2019 2 min read

A Mather man accused of setting an unoccupied Jefferson Township house on fire in January pleaded guilty to several charges in Greene County court last week.

Corey Allen McCartney, 22, of 5 Circle St., entered an attached garage at 327 Third St., Mather, about 3:20 p.m. Jan. 24. State police said he, along with two 13-year-olds, got in through an unlocked door. He lit a piece of paper and the three of them left before the garage caught fire, according to state police.

A witness told police during the investigation that McCartney had stated that he planned to burn down other abandoned structures in the area, but McCartney denied saying that during an interview with police, according to investigators. The two teenagers were not charged, police said.

Jefferson fire Chief Joe Petek said in January that the fire didn’t spread to the house, though it did sustain smoke damage. Investigators said the property is used periodically by Kevin Clelland and sustained about $10,000 worth of damage.

McCartney pleaded guilty July 10 to arson with intent to destroy an unoccupied building, arson or reckless burning or exploding, and criminal trespass. Charges of arson with danger of death, recklessly endangering another person and risking catastrophe were dropped as part of a plea deal. Charges of burglary and corruption of minors had been dismissed in magisterial court.

Following McCartney’s plea deal last week, Greene County Judge Lou Dayich revoked McCartney’s bond, which had been set at $100,000 bond, and ordered a pre-sentence investigation to be completed within 30 days. In his order, Dayich said McCartney will have to pay restitution between $10,000 and $15,000 to Clelland, but that amount will be determined at the time of sentencing.