Man pleads guilty in arson try

A Willoughby man accused of setting a woman’s car on fire pleaded guilty Sept. 6 in Lake County Common Pleas Court to attempted arson.

Marvin Lanton, 37, now faces up to one year in prison when he is sentenced Oct. 4 by Judge John P. O’Donnell.

At 8:48 a.m. June 6, police were called to the 2700 block of Glenbury Lane by a woman who said her 2012 Buick sedan was on fire.

Another caller told police they saw a man lighting the Buick on fire and walking away.

According to police, upon arrival they located Lanton walking away from the scene on Glenbury Lane.

Officers spoke with the vehicle’s owner, who said Lanton had poured gasoline on her car and lit it with a match.

The woman and Lanton were involved in an argument prior to the incident.

Lanton had tried to leave with the Buick, but she refused to let him have the vehicle. Lanton allegedly grabbed a gasoline can from the garage and poured gasoline all over it.

The woman was concerned for the safety of her family and home, so she attempted to move the car away from the house. The Buick became engulfed in flames, and she exited the vehicle as it rolled into the street.

The Willoughby Fire Department arrived on the scene to extinguish the flames. Willoughby detectives and arson investigators also responded to investigate. No one was hurt. Lanton is represented by the Lake County Public Defender’s Office.

Marvin Lanton