Fortine man pleads guilty to setting dad's home on fire

A Fortine man pleaded guilty to arson Monday after setting his father’s home on fire earlier this year.

Justin Dale Huggins, 35, initially pleaded not guilty to one felony count of arson and one count of criminal endangerment in Lincoln County District Court on June 26.

As part of a plea deal between Lincoln County Deputy Attorney Jeff Zwang and defense attorney Scott B. Johnson, the criminal endangerment charge was dismissed.

Huggins, who was released on his own recognition on Aug. 3, will have to pay restitution. The deal also calls for a 5-year suspended sentence. District Judge Matt Cuffe set sentencing for Dec. 4.

According to charging documents, Eureka dispatch received a number of 911 calls at 8:30 p.m. June 7 reporting a house fire on Harmony Lane. One caller said Huggins started the fire and that he was drunk. He said Huggins left on foot wearing a black shirt and shorts.

When officer Bo Pitman responded, he spoke to another teen who encountered Huggins. Huggins allegedly told the other teen he started the fire. Pitman then drove to the house fire and saw Huggins’ father, who sustained injuries. He said his son was out of control and needed to be dealt with. He said Huggins was probably at a local saloon.

Pitman drove into Fortine and a number of people said Huggins was at the saloon. But the officer didn’t find Huggins at the saloon, so he drove to the railroad tracks, saw Huggins and parked near the defendant.

Pitman wrote in his report that Huggins walked and then ran away before stopping and was taken into custody. Huggins allegedly told the officer about all the people his dad was allowing to live on the property.

During a period of several weeks, he said he told them to leave but they refused. Huggins allegedly said multiple times that he started the fire, it was his property and he could do what he wants.

A check of the Montana Cadastral, which shows various real estate information, indicated the property did not belong to him.

A conviction for the arson charge could result in a 20-year sentence in the Montana State Prison. A conviction on the endangerment charge could result in a 10-year sentence.