Utah Woman Gets 7-15 years in Prison in Arson Case

A 24-year-old Provo woman was sentenced to seven to 15 years in Utah state prison for sparking several fires in recent years in Utah County.

The Daily Herald of Provo reports that Alexandra Howell was sentenced Monday after pleading guilty in March to seven of 14 charges of second-degree arson against her.

Utah 4th District Court Judge Darold McDade postponed sentencing co-defendant Ashley Hair on the same charges to correct her presentencing report.

The two were accused of starting more than 50 fires, including blazes in Maple Canyon in 2009, Hobble Creek Canyon in 2010, and fires on Y Mountain and in Rock Canyon.

Prosecutor Sherry Ragan said damage could exceed $1 million.

Howell’s lawyer, Scott Williams, said Howell set the fires during a bitter custody battle with her husband.