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Man pleads guilty to setting eight fires in Lakewood, including barn fire that killed six horses

Posted at 12:12 PM, Apr 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-08 14:13:38-04

GOLDEN, Colo. — The man accused of setting eight fires in Lakewood in 2018, including one that killed six horses, pleaded guilty to the charges on Friday.

Earnest Sunday Maynes, 38, appeared in Jefferson County District Court and pleaded guilty to the 11 felony counts for setting eight fires in Lakewood in April 2018. Six horses were killed in one of the fires.

On April 28, 2018, Lakewood police were called to the area of 5405 W. 3rd Avenue on a report of a structure fire. When they arrived at the scene, they found a large barn and two tons of hay on fire. With the help of the Denver Police Department, Lakewood officers were able to remove five or six horses while West Metro Fire Department extinguished the fire. Authorities were not able to rescue the remaining six horses.

READ MORE: Owner of dead horse says he tried to save all of his horses during massive barn fire

Around this same date, authorities responded to seven other fires around the neighborhood.

Maynes was arrested in May 2018.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of arson, eight counts of aggravated animal cruelty and one count of criminal mischief. He will be sentenced on May 24 and could face anywhere from eight to 34 years in prison.

Because of his prior felony convictions, he is not eligible for probation.