Liberal man pleads guilty to setting fires

27-year-old Nathan L. Jones of Liberal, Mo. has pleaded guilty to five counts of arson and five counts of burglary in connection with setting fires in Liberal earlier this year.

He confessed to torching the old Liberal Middle School and other structures with another Liberal resident.

The other buildings included an old bus barn belonging to the school district, three vacant houses and a shed at another residence. 

Jones was sentenced to concurrent terms of seven years on each of the 10 convictions.

A probable-cause affidavit filed in the case states that Jones admitted setting the fires with Thomas J. Ingram, 24, of Liberal. Ingram faces the same charges as Jones as well as additional fire-related charges.

Ingram’s case is pending.