CLEARFIELD – A former area fire chief pleaded guilty Tuesday for his involvement with a brush fire.
Christopher G. Leone, 24, 325 Maramar Rd., 1398 Treasure Lake, DuBois pleaded guilty to criminal mischief, official oppression and a summary count of dangerous burning.
Judge Paul E. Cherry sentenced him to three years probation and fined him $525 plus costs. He must also complete 100 hours of community service.
The charges stem from a fire on April 15, 2015 in a wooded area at the intersection of Harborview and Jolly Roger roads in Treasure Lake. Leone is the former fire chief of the Treasure Lake Fire Volunteer Co.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Leone’s co-defendant, Aaron Kulbacki, a volunteer with the same fire department, confessed to starting the fire. He told police that there was general conversation within the fire department about causing small fires to generate alarm volumes.
While he was in a vehicle with Leone on April 15, 2015, heading to training program in Tionesta, Leone started talking about setting fires. Kulbacki said Leone asked him to set a brush fire with a flare. Kulbacki told police on the way back from the training Leone brought up the subject again.
Leone was at the fire station when Kulbacki took a flare and threw it over an embankment. He told police he then went home and waited. It was about 15 minutes before someone reported the fire. After the fire was put out, Kulbacki said Leone laughed and told him he would not get caught.
In July Leone was questioned by police. He said he did not set any fires and suggested the fire was probably started by kids messing around with a rust-oleum can. He later admitted he was joking with Kulbacki about setting fires when they were on their way back from the training program in Tionesta.
Kulbacki, 23, 1500 Treasure Lake, pleaded guilty to a summary dangerous burning charge in July.
According to previously published report, a statement was issued in July from Dana E. Smith, president of the Sandy Township Fire Department, Jonathan W. Uren, Treasure Lake Fire Co. chief and John P. Hallowell, chief of the Sandy Township Fire Department.
It said “The leadership of the Treasure Lake Volunteer Fire Co. took immediate action and the two individuals were suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. It is our understanding that one of the two individuals has already tendered his resignation.
“Although scenarios such as these are always an embarrassment to a fire department and often create highly emotional responses within a community, I want to assure the citizens of Sandy Township that their fire department is strong and that we remain united in our commitment to provide the highest level of fire and rescue protection to the citizens, visitors and mutual aid communities served by the dedicated men and women of the Sandy Township Volunteer Fire Department.”
The Sandy Township Board of Supervisors and Township Manager, Dave Monella, also issued a statement pledging their full support. They said, “We want all the residents of our township and surrounding areas to know that the alleged actions of a few do not and should not be a reflection on the dedicated volunteers who serve our communities.”