GALESBURG, Ill. — A volunteer firefighter pleaded guilty Wednesday to arson for setting hay bale and trash bin fires dating back to last November.
The Associated Press reported that Blake T. Walsh, 24, was arrested April 16 after witnesses reportedly saw him setting a trash bin fire. Walsh was accused of setting fire to more than 20 hay bales between November and April, according to the report.
He plead guilty to three counts of arson with all other charges, including multiple counts of criminal damage to property, to be dropped during sentencing.
He faces a maximum of seven years in prison.
The judge ordered a mental health evaluation before Walsh’s next court appearance in September, according to the report.
He remains at the county jail on $10,000 bond.