CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney, William A. Shaw, Jr., announced today that charges have been filed against a Sandy Township woman for her involvement with an arson fire on Sept. 25, 2010.
On Oct. 13, Sergeant Rodney Fairman of the Sandy Township Police Department filed a criminal complaint charging Alsbaugh with: 1) criminal solicitation to commit arson, F1; 2) criminal conspiracy to commit arson, F1; and 3) corruption of minors, M1, 2 counts.
An affidavit of probable Cause filed by Fairman states that at 4:35 a.m. on Sept. 25, the Sandy Township Police responded to a structure fire at an occupied home on Clear Run Road. A mother and her thirteen year old daughter were asleep in the residence and awakened by the family dog. The victims were able to escape the residence unharmed prior to arrival of the fire department.
On Sept. 28, Fairman received information that the fire was intentionally set by two male juveniles, both age seventeen. Upon further investigation, Fairman determined that Alsbaugh solicited the juveniles to set fire to the residence because Alsbaugh claimed the victim was having an affair with Alsbaugh’s husband. Alsbaugh developed a plan for the juveniles to start the fire. When the juveniles met Alsbaugh at her residence, Alsbaugh provided the juveniles with dark colored clothing, as well as a disposable lighter and instructions on how to start the fire. Alsbaugh then drove the juveniles through the rear gate of Treasure Lake and dropped the juveniles off at the I-80 bridge. After the juveniles started the fire, the juveniles fled the scene and sent Alsbaugh a coded text message to be picked up at the church located near the rear entrance of Treasure Lake.
The affidavit further provides that Trooper Greg Agosti of the Pennsylvania State Police was called to the scene. Trooper Agosti is a Fire Marshall for the Troop – C area and determined that the fire originated in the rear enclosed porch area of the residence.
On Oct. 7, Fairman traveled to the State Police Headquarters in Punxsutawney to meet with Trooper Matthew Powell of the Computer Crime Unit. Trooper Powell was able to recover data from the alleged victim’s cell phone. Prior to the fire, the victim was receiving threatening text messages from Alsbaugh. On Oct. 8, Fairman served a search warrant on Alsbaugh’s residence and recovered the dark clothing that was worn by the juveniles while starting the fire.
Upon filing the criminal complaint, District Magisterial Judge James Hawkins issued a warrant of arrest for Alsbaugh. Fairman was able to locate Alsbaugh and Alsbaugh was taken into custody without incident. Alsbaugh was arraigned on the charges and Hawkins set Alsbaugh’s bail at $100,000. Alsbaugh’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 22.
Shaw stated that he was pleased with the quick response of the Sandy Township Police Department to resolve this matter. Shaw noted that arson fires are completely unacceptable and said that these types of fires place many lives in danger, including homeowners and volunteer firefighters.
Shaw reported that this investigation is ongoing and anticipates that further charges may be filed in the future.
Shaw thanked the Sandy Township Police Department and the volunteer firefighters and emergency personal who responded to the scene.
Anyone with knowledge or information about a crime is asked to call Clearfield County Crimestoppers at 800-376-4700. All calls to Crimestoppers are confidential. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by visiting
the Clearfield County District Attorney Web site and selecting “Report A Crime”.