Georgia Man Sentenced in Arson Plot

Federal prosecutors say a western Georgia man has been sentenced to more than two years in prison for conspiracy to commit arson.

Investigators say 44-year-old Hitendrafumar Patel was recorded asking an undercover Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent to burn down his business in June of 2012.

Patel, of Bremen, told the agent that the business wasn’t profitable and he wanted it destroyed so he could use insurance money to pay the mortgage and other debts.

The two negotiated and agreed on the price for the job. Officials say Patel told the agent about a second property he owned that he was also considering having burned down.

Officials say Patel gave the agent incendiary materials and told the agent where the key to the business was hidden.