CINCINNATI, Ohio — Two people have pleaded guilty to crimes in connection to the fire that was set on the Daniel Carter Beard Bridge last November, causing significant traffic complications and months of repairs, according to a press release from the Hamilton County Prosecutor.
According to the release, the fire cause more than $11 million in damages and kept southbound lanes closed for 100 days.
Terry Stiles, 39, of Arlington Heights pleaded guilty to the following:
- Aggravated arson
- Arson
He was sentenced to nine to 13 and a half years in prison, "followed by five years of post-release control."
Zachary Stumpf, 23, of Owensville pleaded guilty to:
- Obstructing official business
He could see up to three years in prison but has not yet been sentenced. That will occur on June 26.
The release states that there are two other suspects who have not yet had their cases heard. They are 25-year-old Kaitlen Hall and 26-year-old James Hamilton. They are both from Arlington Heights.
“This case was solved by the exhaustive work of Cincinnati Fire Department fire investigators and collaborative work with our office,” Hamilton County Prosecutor Connie Pillich said in the release. “Mr. Stiles called this a ‘stupid decision’ and apologized, but that doesn’t negate the impact his actions had on this community for months. This sentence holds him accountable for the disruption he caused.”
Spectrum News 1 reporter Alese Underwood contributed to this report.