Old Rocks
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Judge: Teen who started Eagle Creek Fire ordered to pay $36.6M in restitution
Posted: May 21, 2018 9:13 AM PDTUpdated: May 21, 2018 11:25 AM PDT
By FOX 12 Staff
CONNECT
Eagle Creek Fire (KPTV file image)
HOOD RIVER COUNTY, OR (KPTV) -
The Vancouver boy responsible for igniting the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge in September must pay more than $36.6 million in restitution.
Judge John A. Olson issued his opinion Monday, ordering the boy, who was 15 when he tossed fireworks while hiking last year, to pay $36,618,330.24 for his actions which sparked the Eagle Creek Fire.
The judge’s decision was announced four days after the teen’s attorney appeared in court, and called the amount of restitution sought “absurd.”
The state submitted 11 restitution claims from various parties, including the Oregon Department of Transportation and US Forest Service, as well as some of the victims who suffered property damage in the fire.
Olson declined two of the claims, finding they did not qualify for restitution. For the other nine claims, Olson wrote in his opinion that he was “satisfied that the restitution ordered in this case bears a sufficient relationship to the gravity of the offenses for which the youth was adjudicated.”
The boy pleaded guilty to 12 counts in February, including reckless burning on public land and criminal mischief. He apologized in court in February and was sentenced to five years probation and 1,920 hours of community service with the Forest Service.
Won't replace the damage the little bastard created, but it serves notice to others that they won't get off free for such actions.
Posted: May 21, 2018 9:13 AM PDTUpdated: May 21, 2018 11:25 AM PDT
By FOX 12 Staff
CONNECT
Eagle Creek Fire (KPTV file image)
HOOD RIVER COUNTY, OR (KPTV) -
The Vancouver boy responsible for igniting the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge in September must pay more than $36.6 million in restitution.
Judge John A. Olson issued his opinion Monday, ordering the boy, who was 15 when he tossed fireworks while hiking last year, to pay $36,618,330.24 for his actions which sparked the Eagle Creek Fire.
The judge’s decision was announced four days after the teen’s attorney appeared in court, and called the amount of restitution sought “absurd.”
The state submitted 11 restitution claims from various parties, including the Oregon Department of Transportation and US Forest Service, as well as some of the victims who suffered property damage in the fire.
Olson declined two of the claims, finding they did not qualify for restitution. For the other nine claims, Olson wrote in his opinion that he was “satisfied that the restitution ordered in this case bears a sufficient relationship to the gravity of the offenses for which the youth was adjudicated.”
The boy pleaded guilty to 12 counts in February, including reckless burning on public land and criminal mischief. He apologized in court in February and was sentenced to five years probation and 1,920 hours of community service with the Forest Service.
Won't replace the damage the little bastard created, but it serves notice to others that they won't get off free for such actions.