Man pleads guilty to arson charges

A 30-year-old man has admitted setting fire to a westside home earlier this year.

Eugene White Quills pleaded guilty Thursday in Lethbridge provincial court to one count each of arson with disregard for life, and arson causing damage to property.

White Quills was not sentenced, however, but had his sentencing hearing adjourned to Feb. 2, 2017, when the court will likely deal with additional charges. A copy of an agreed statement of facts was also presented to the judge Thursday, but not read in court.

In addition to the arson charges, White Quills is charged with two counts of threats to cause death and single counts of housebreaking to commit an offence, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and failing to comply with a probation order.

Police reported that at about 1:30 a.m. April 29 police and firefighters responded to a fire at a fourplex on Dalhousie Court West. The fourplex, from which smoke was seen billowing from windows, had to be evacuated. No one was injured.

Police identified a suspect early on in their investigation, but were initially unable to find White Quills. He surrendered to police later in the day.

White Quills’ matter was adjourned Thursday to allow time for the preparation of a pre-sentence report with a Gladue component, which provides the court with personal information, including aboriginal upbringing, to help the judge determine an appropriate sentence.

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