No Jail Time For Former Firefighter Who Set Fires

A former Cape Vincent firefighter will serve five years probation for insurance fraud.

Daryl Goutremout appeared in Jefferson County Court Wednesday to be sentenced.

In July, he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of willfully setting forest lands on fire and also agreed to a partial Alford plea for third-degree insurance fraud.

He has since paid $6,800 in restitution for damages.

In November 2007, state police arrested Goutremout for intentionally setting fires in the town of Lyme over a five-month period as well as insurance fraud.

The investigation determined Goutremout set fires that damaged his own property and property in the nearby area including the Ashland Wildlife Management Area.

He was originally charged with felony insurance fraud, fifth-degree arson, two counts of willfully setting forest land on fire, and other violations of environmental conservation law.

Goutremout was accused of trying to make an insurance claim on a barn fire state police say he started on his property.

He was also accused of starting a 60 acre grass fire in September in the Ashland Wildlife Management Area.