GILBERT, Ariz. — A Gilbert teen, who pleaded guilty to arson on July 3, was sentenced to one year of intensive probation by a juvenile judge Monday. The crime is connected to a firework-throwing incident where multiple teen boys hurled the lit flames into a barn with nearly a dozen teens inside.
"I'm not too surprised by the outcome, just hoping that real change will happen, and I don't think that will be the case," the barn's owner, Jeni Jones said.
Jones' daughter, Lexi, and her friends were inside the barn as it was set on fire. Lexi told the judge during the sentencing hearing that she knew the boys were "up to no good" and had been "begging them to leave her alone" in the weeks before the arson.
Jeni Jones and her family lost collectibles, cars, and mementos in the fire. Fortunately, her daughters and their friends were unharmed.
The teen sentenced, who we are not naming because he is a minor, will be on "intensive" probation. The judge described this as probation with "a lot of oversight" by the probation department. He is ordered to not commit any new crimes, not possess weapons, and not contact the victims or any of their family members.
He is also required to have no contact with the co-defendant, another 15-year-old teen boy from Gilbert, who is also charged with arson and other felonies. In addition, he cannot contact other Gilbert teen boys who were named as being present on the night of the barn fire.
"Justice won't really be served. Intensive probation is better than regular probation. I appreciate that she's having him have no contact with the other boys, and hopefully, the other parents of those boys support that. Otherwise, he could be in more trouble if they don't," Jones.
The teen's grandfather, John, spoke on his behalf during the hearing that his grandson's actions are not reflective of who "they are taught to be." He said this was a "horrible incident" and said his grandson is going to have to "learn a lot of things."
"I visited him immediately after he was released the next morning, and there was no intent to hurt somebody," John said. "It was stupid fireworks that kids have been throwing and shouldn't have been thrown for decades now or for longer than that."
The judge also ordered that the teen perform 40 hours of community service. She ordered that be completed for a cause related to helping burn victims or serving at a firehouse in Gilbert.
That idea came from Jon Lewis, the father of one of the girls inside the barn when it went up in flames. He told the judge this may be the only way that the defendant can see the real impact of his actions up close and first hand.
"I think the only real way is to see it really, digest it, let it soak in, and then realize, 'Oh my gosh, this is worse than I thought it was'," Lewis said. "Seeing what that could have done, and hearing those stories firsthand, and not being able to escape it for 40 hours and really digesting on that will make it real."
The co-defendant in this case has not entered a plea. He has a trial scheduled for December.
Up to Speed
Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.