By Associated Press
Birmingham, AL – Three former college students pleaded guilty Wednesday to federal arson charges in the burning of nine rural Alabama churches. Matthew Cloyd, Benjamin Nathan Moseley and Russell Lee Debusk entered the guilty pleas to federal arson and conspiracy charges in the string of church fires set on two nights in February. Cloyd and Moseley had a plea agreement with federal prosecutors that called for them to recommend a sentence range of up to eight years and one month, but not less than seven years. The plea also calls for restitution and five years of supervision after prison. Debusk did not have an agreement on a sentence with his plea, but a prosecutor said he expects Debusk to get a shorter sentence than the other two because he participated in only five fires.
Pastors from at least two of the churches affected said they were happy with the pleas and that it brought a sense of closure. The three are also charged with state crimes in Bibb, Pickens, Greene and Sumter counties, including arson, burglary, criminal mischief and cruelty to animals for killing a cow. Defense attorneys have been discussing a similar plea deal with county prosecutors, but none has been reached. County prosecutors said they are insisting that any plea deal include state prison time for the three after they finish their federal sentences.
(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)