According to Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler, Dawn Hulse, age 53, of Port Jervis, was sentenced on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to prison time plus an additional five years of supervised release.
This follows her guilty plea in Orange County Court to commit arson at a two-family residence in Port Jervis.
Court documents reveal that on Tuesday, Jan. 25, Hulse disabled the smoke detector from the fuse box and barricaded the door to a first-floor apartment.
She ignited multiple fires within the premises and intensified the danger by placing bug spray in her oven and turning it on, which resulted in an explosion.
During her plea, Hulse admitted she was aware that at least one person was inside the building when she set the fire.
Hoovler highlighted the challenges of investigating arson, a crime he described as insidious due to its covert nature and the significant threat it poses to life and property.
"These crimes pose substantial risks to life and property, and the offenders who commit these crimes must be held accountable for their dangerous actions," Hoovler stated.
He also expressed gratitude to the City of Port Jervis Police Department for its diligent work, which was crucial in Hulse's arrest and subsequent conviction.
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