Aggravated Arson Case Decided in Fayette County

An aggravated arson case has been decided in Fayette County with a Mt. Olive man sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Fayette County State's Attorney Josh Morrison said 38-year-old Brian T. Thompson pled guilty Wednesday in exchange for the 10-year sentence. 

Morrison said Thompson went to a house on the edge of Vandalia last June and said he lit a fire in the carport to get the attention of the occupants. He told authorities he feared someone was going to kill him. Morrison said there was never any indication that Thompson tried to knock on the door or otherwise tried to gain the attention of the occupants before setting the fire, which caught the house ablaze. 

Asked why Thompson thought someone was trying to kill him, Morrison said he could only speculate about it.

Since aggravated arson is a Class X felony, Thompson will have to serve at least 85% of his sentence.