FARMINGTON — A local man was sentenced Friday to eight years in prison, all suspended, and three years of probation for burning a truck on Keep Road in Jay in February 2016 that belonged to his former girlfriend’s new boyfriend.

Michael Davis, 22, of Farmington pleaded guilty to arson in Franklin County Superior Court. The charge is punishable by up to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $50,000.

The state dismissed a second arson charge in a plea agreement, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Robbins said.

Davis is currently serving two sentences at the same time for burglaries committed in 2015 and 2016. Each concurrent sentence is for six years with all but 15 months suspended, followed by three years of probation. He is expected to be released Saturday. Friday’s sentence will add two years to the jail time that was suspended.

If the case went to trial, a witness would have testified that she had broken up with Davis in January, but they were still in communication. The two exchanged a cellphone photo on Feb. 2, 2016.

She later found her cellphone missing from her car.

A spare key to the house was also missing. Items belonging to the woman were later found in a shed after a search warrant was executed at a New Sharon residence where Davis lived.

The woman and her new boyfriend were at her parents’ home in Jay on Feb. 4 and at about 1:30 a.m. saw light outside. Derek Castonguay found his truck on fire and his sneakers missing, Robbins said.

He said Jay police arrived on the scene first to find the truck engulfed in flames. Testimony would also be heard that there were fresh footprints in the snow that were leading from the house to an orchard next door and from the burned vehicle to the orchard, Robbins said.

State fire investigators were notified.

Robbins said a woman told investigators that Davis asked her to provide an alibi for him. Two Franklin County jail inmates who were in jail with Davis would testify that Davis told them he burned the truck, Robbins said.

Attorney Jeffrey Wilson said that his client was pleading guilty because he was concerned he would remain incarcerated longer. 

“I think if (jurors) only heard the state’s case, they could find him guilty of arson,” Wilson said.

Judge Maria Woodman asked if there was any restitution required to be paid. Robbins said he believed insurance covered the loss of the truck and there had been no request for restitution.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net

Michael Davis (Franklin County Detention Center)