Alan Thomas

 

STEELE, N.D. (AP) – A Texas man accused of burning down a North Dakota motel is scheduled to stand trial in late February.

51-year-old Allen Thomas has pleaded not guilty to one count of arson and 18 counts of endangering by fire.

The felony charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon conviction.
     The Houston man was staying at the Lone Steer Motel in Steele at the time of the Aug. 12, 2012  fire, which didn’t hurt anyone but displaced about two dozen people.
     Authorities allege that Thomas used a cigarette lighter to
ignite a mattress because he was upset that the hotel owners had
helped his girlfriend after the two had argued.
     The trial is expected to last from Feb. 25 to March 1.