AUGUSTA — A 24-year-old transient rescued by firefighters following a small blaze at Capitol Computers, Water Street, last April 14 pleaded guilty Tuesday to arson.

Tyler Uehling initially told investigators he set a signal fire because he was being chased. 

At the time, Capitol Computers CEO Thomas Johnson said his wife, Karen, an accountant, was in the store finishing tax returns for clients when she smelled smoke and called the fire department. And Sgt. Ken Grimes of the Office of the State Fire Marshal said that once firefighters put out the blaze, they heard Uehling calling for help. They had to cut through a basement wall and pull him into the building.

Uehling was initially charged with two counts of arson, but one was dismissed in exchange for the plea as was a charge of aggravated criminal mischief.

At the same hearing in Kennebec County Superior Court, Uehling also pleaded guilty to assault Aug. 31, and to trafficking in prison contraband on Aug. 25, all in Augusta.

He was sentenced to four years in prison, with all but three years and six months suspended and placed on probation for four years. He was ordered to pay restitution of $8,855 in connection with the fire and was fined $300 on the assault charge.

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A number of other people were sentenced this week in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:

• Amassan N. Agounke, 26, of Randolph, motor vehicle speeding: 30-plus mph over the speed limit, operating a vehicle without a license — conditional/restricted; operating under the influence, all May 13 in Monmouth; $700 fine, 364 day jail sentence, all but 90 days suspended, one year probation, three-year license and registration suspension.

• Amanda J. Bachelder, 32, of Mount Vernon, operating after habitual offender revocation Sept. 6 in Oakland; $500 fine, 30 day jail sentence.

• Robert Bishop, 33, of Waterville theft by unauthorized taking or transfer June 22 in Augusta and Aug. 6 in Waterville and violating condition of release Aug. 6 in Waterville; 30 day jail sentence.

• Raymond Bowman, 46, of Augusta, domestic violence assault Oct. 27 in Augusta; 85 day jail sentence.

• Michelle H. Campbell, 22, of Mount Vernon, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer, unlawful possession of scheduled drug and violating condition of release Oct. 29-31 in Augusta; 364 day jail sentence, all but five days suspended, one year probation, $400 fine.

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• Casey Clark, 21, of Waterville, violating condition of release and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Sept. 7 in Waterville; $700 in fines.

• Patrick J. Cotnoir, 37, of Monmouth, violating condition of release and operating while license suspended or revoked Sept. 10; $600 fine, seven day jail sentence, one year license suspension.

• Matthew Crook, 44, of Winthrop, domestic violence assault Oct. 24 in Winthrop; 364 day jail sentence, all but two days suspended, one year probation. 

• Danielle M. Gallagher, 28, of Wales, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Oct. 20 in Augusta; 180 day jail sentence, all but 45 days suspended, one-year administrative release.

• Douglas W. Hanson, 38, of Mount Vernon, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer and violating condition of release July 12 in Augusta; $250 fine.

• Stanley R. Hargraves, 69, of Bailey Island; violating condition of release Aug. 21 in Augusta; $250 fine.

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• Christopher Harrison, 26, of Augusta, violating protective order Aug. 12 in Augusta; $150 fine.

• Joseph Johnson, 44, of Augusta, assault and unlawful sexual touching Sept. 12; $300 fine, 30 day jail sentence.

• Robert L. Jurdak III, 32, of Unity, operating while license suspended or revoked Aug. 3 in Augusta; $750 fine.

• Christopher J. Kjersgard, 24, of Waterville, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Aug. 3; 10 day jail sentence.

• Tyler Litalien, 19, of Waterville, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer and burglary of a motor vehicle June 29 in Waterville; 60 day jail sentence.

• Barbara E. Lunn, 45, of Augusta, operating under the influence Sept. 17 in Augusta; $700 fine, 90 day license suspension.

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• Michael M. Marro, 20, of Augusta, five counts of burglary and five counts of theft July 25-Oct. 1, all in Augusta; four year jail sentence, all but six months suspended, two years’ probation; $11,591 restitution.

• Joseph Santerre, 26, of Canaan, domestic violence assault Sept. 23 in Waterville; five year prison sentence, all but nine months suspended, two years’ probation.

• Jonathan Sugden, 26, of Waterville, operating under the influence Sept. 15 in Waterville; $500 fine, 90 day license suspension.

• Daniel Deforest Truman, 44, two counts of possession of sexually explicit materials of a minor under 12 on Jan. 24, 2012; four year jail sentence, all but nine months suspended, two years’ probation.

• Jordan E. Waterman, 21, of Freedom, assault and violating condition of release July 22, in Augusta; four-year jail sentence all but six months suspended, two years’ probation.

• Nicholas Walters, 34, of Augusta, operating after habitual offender revocation March 23, in Pittston; $1,000 fine, 30 day jail sentence.


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