Staff writer
Hesitation on the part of the Marion County Attorney on Monday meant a delay of sentencing for a man convicted of arson.
Andrew M. Schaefer, 22, pleaded guilty Aug. 9 to arson. The charge arose from the Feb. 13, 2015 arson of a house at 321 W. Santa Fe St. where Schaefer lived with his mother and sister.
“Since Courtney Boehm is the one who worked out the plea agreement, I just felt it would be better to have her there,” county attorney Susan Robson said. “She’d made a comment to the person who did the presentencing investigation about something going on with Mr. Schaefer.”
Under the terms of Schaefer’s plea agreement, he would plead guilty to the arson charge and charges of conspiracy to commit arson and interference with law enforcement would be dismissed.
Additionally, prosecutors would not to object to Shaefer’s request for probation to be served consecutive to probation he’s already serving, instead of being sentenced to prison for the arson. It also specifies he will share responsibility for payment of restitution with his mother.
His mother, Gina A. Schaefer, 47, now of Lyons, was sentenced a month ago to 18 months probation for conspiracy to commit arson. She was ordered to pay $6,000 restitution to the city of Marion and $39,662 to State Farm Insurance, with both she and her son responsible for payment.