Arizona ‘Eco-Arsonist’ Gets 18 Years in Prison
PHOENIX — A man who said he wanted to save the desert from housing developers was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison for setting fire to a series of luxury homes being built near protected mountain land.
Mark Warren Sands of Phoenix, labeled an “eco-arsonist” by the press, received two years shy of the maximum sentence that U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton could have imposed because of a plea deal with prosecutors. He also must pay $2.82 million for damage caused.
A teary-eyed Sands, 50, apologized to his victims during the hearing and said there was no excuse for his actions.
Assistant U.S. Atty. Joseph Welty said Sands’ arson rampage was “a reprehensible crime” designed to fuel his ego, not preserve the environment.
Sands pleaded guilty Nov. 7 to eight counts of extortion and one count of using a fire to commit a felony. He had been indicted on 23 arson and extortion counts.
Sands admitted to setting eight fires in Phoenix and Scottsdale from April 2000 to January 2001 in a supposed attempt to save protected areas.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
