Pennsylvania Man Gets 15-Year Sentence in Tire Business Arson

A man convicted in a 2008 fire at a York, Pa., tire business that did more than $4 million in damage is facing 15 years in federal prison.

The York Dispatch reported Tuesday that John Hughes Jr. of Hanover also was ordered to pay $3.7 million in restitution.

The 36-year-old Hughes was convicted last year of conspiracy and interstate transportation of stolen property in connection with the fire at Americana Tire and Wheel Co.

Federal prosecutors have said firefighters called to the scene of the fire discovered the warehouse’s sprinkler system had been disabled.

The paper says Hughes’ lawyer maintains he had nothing to do with the fire and expects to appeal his conviction and sentence.