A Michigan man who pleaded guilty in connection with an arson fire that damaged a room at a motel, which was occupied, in Crystal Lake has been sentenced to probation.
The Crystal Lake Police Department and Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department responded around 4:50 p.m. on November 10 to Super 8 by Wyndham Crystal Lake, 577 Crystal Point Road, for a report of a fire alarm.
Officers arrived first and reported a fire inside a second-floor motel room, according to emergency radio traffic.
The incident was upgraded from a fire alarm response to a structure fire, prompting numerous fire department resources to respond.
Firefighters arrived and reported finding no smoke or flames visible from the exterior, fire department radio traffic indicated.
Fire crews went inside the motel room where the fire was reported and found a small fire, possibly involving towels, that was burning but had been extinguished.
The incident was downgraded after the fire was extinguished. Crews worked to ventilate the smoke from the room and reset the fire alarm system.
Police officers arrested James Roever, 30, of Negaunee, Michigan, in connection with the incident.
He was charged with aggravated arson knowing people are present, a Class X felony, and possession of a controlled substance, a Class 4 felony.
A criminal complaint filed in McHenry County Circuit Court alleges Roever knowingly and intentionally committed arson, damaging part of the building, while knowing the motel was occupied.
Court documents said Roever started the fire, left the room unattended and someone else had to put the fire out.
Roever was also found in possession of less than 15 grams of crack cocaine, the complaint said.
Roever was transported to the McHenry County Jail and ordered detained in custody to await trial by McHenry County Judge Christopher Harmon.
Court records show Roever pleaded guilty on Thursday to an amended count of attempted aggravated arson, a Class 1 felony, in exchange for his more serious charge being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge Mark Gerhardt approved the plea deal between Roever and the state’s attorney’s office.
Roever was sentenced to 30 months of probation and ordered to obtain drug and alcohol treatment. He was also ordered not to consume illegal drugs or alcohol.
A sentence of 180 days in jail was considered served upon the plea due to 130 days of credit he accumulated awaiting his case.