Gravel Pit Fire arsonist pleads guilty

A transient man originally from New Jersey accused of starting the Gravel Pit Fire south of Libby in 2023 pleaded guilty to the offense last week.

Joseph Anthony Eutsler, 41, entered his plea Thursday, Jan. 9, in Lincoln County District Court. He first pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2023. 

A plea deal calls for him to receive a 20-year sentence, with 10 suspended, in the Montana State Prison. He will receive credit for the time he has served in the county jail. It is expected there will be restitution due because the 300-acre fire burned trees on timberlands belonging to Green Diamond Resource Company

District Judge Matt Cuffe ordered a pre-sentence investigation by Adult Probation and Parole. Eutsler's sentencing is scheduled for March 24.

Eutsler was ruled fit to stand trial in the summer of 2024 after doctors from the Montana State Hospital, Dr. James P. Murphy and Dr. Daniel Bemporad, evaluated him and determined he was fit and able to proceed. 

Eutsler is being held on $250,000 bail in the county jail. 

According to charging documents, Eutsler previously lived in Williamstown, New Jersey. But he was described as living in his van at the time of the offense.

According to the probable cause statement by county Sheriff’s Office Deputy Anthony Jenson, Eutsler was arrested on the evening of Aug. 1 at the gravel pit located near Silver Butte Road after a woman called 911 at about 6:22 p.m. to report the fire near mile marker 60.

Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue responded to the scene and found the man who allegedly started the fire at the scene.

Captain Boyd White and Jenson responded and spoke with Eutsler. He allegedly told them his vehicle had broken down and he had been parked in the gravel pit for about two days. The defendant said a marked patrol car had driven past and he tried to wave for the officer to stop, but the car continued to drive, according to Jenson’s statement.

Eutsler allegedly said he was upset and said he started the fire to create a signal to force law enforcement to come.

Jenson reported seeing singed hair on Eutsler’s right arm and Capt. White found a bottle of lighter fluid next to an open door of the defendant’s van. It was also reported that Eutsler had a lighter in his pocket.

The officers also reported that when they arrived the fire had grown to an estimated five acres and damaged timber and property belonging to Green Diamond Resource Company. Within two hours the fire grew to about 50 acres and was heading in a northeast direction where there are numerous residences along the highway.

The 304-acre fire was contained later in August. The cost of the blaze was estimated between $1.5 and $2 million.

Eutsler faces a sentence of up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison.