MONTICELLO – The Kenoza Lake man who pled guilty to arson for causing a fire at the Sunoco Country Store in Jeffersonville back on September 29, 2018, was sentenced in Sullivan County Court to five years in prison plus five years of post-release supervision.
Jacques Pluss, 66, admitted that he intentionally cut a propane line and set fire to the exterior rear of the store while it was occupied by employees including his wife.
The fire was quickly extinguished by a Good Samaritan and members of the Jeffersonville Fire Department.
Pluss was sentenced last Friday by County Court Judge Michael McGuire who also entered a money judgment in favor of the store for the damage that was caused.
“Were it not for the quick action of a Good Samaritan and members of the Jeffersonville Fire Department, this situation could easily have turned deadly,” said Acting District Attorney Meagan Galligan. “This defendant endangered people in the store, people passing by and our dedicated fire and police personnel, and I am pleased that he has been held accountable and responsible for his criminal conduct.”