Fallsburg, NY – Fire Chief Sentenced to Prison For Arson

Fallsburg, NY – Fallsburg’s former fire chief cradled his eight-month-old son in his arms and kissed his sobbing fiance on Tuesday after he was sentenced to prison in a conspiracy to burn down a bungalow.

James Smith, 34, a longtime volunteer firefighter, was sentenced to 2-to-6 years on the top charge of arson after admitting to encouraging his uncle, described as mentally disabled, to burn down the Skopps colony bungalow on Laurel Avenue on Aug. 29. He was also sentenced on a lesser charge of conspiracy.

“He put the life of his firefighters in jeopardy and the lives of the community in jeopardy,” Judge Frank LaBuda said before imposing the sentence.

The uncle, Edward Smith, 44, who actually burned down the unoccupied bungalow, was sentenced to 1 1/3 to 4 years. The judge, the prosecutor and his attorney, Stephan Schick, described him in court as being mentally disabled.

James and Edward both lived at the bungalow colony. James was the caretaker, and Edward did odd jobs for him.

Authorities say James hatched the plan to provide a training opportunity for the fire department, and instructed Edward on how to make it look like an electrical fire. The bungalow was going to be torn down.

James Smith’s attorney, Joel Proyect, said James casually mentioned the idea to Edward, who carried it out. As soon as James found out about the fire, he cooperated with police.

“It was an offhand, stupid remark he made,” Proyect said. “It was 10 seconds of his life.”

James Smith’s distraught fiance, Sonia Hatt, while standing outside the courtroom, said the two were sleeping when the fire broke out.

“The fire chief didn’t do it,” she said. “He is innocent.”

James Smith didn’t say anything or react to the sentence. Hatt brought their infant into the courtroom. Smith hugged the baby and kissed his fiance. His wrists were shackled behind his back and he was taken to jail.