PHOENIX (AP) - A Mesa man who fired a shotgun into the forest, sparking a nearly 18,000-acre wildfire, has pleaded guilty to a pair of federal charges.
Steven Craig Shiflet entered the plea Monday in Phoenix. He faces up to a year in jail and $10,000 in fines for pointing the shotgun loaded with a flame-throwing shell at a soda box and igniting the brush.
A third charge was dropped as part of an agreement with prosecutors.
Sentencing is set for Feb. 26.
Shiflet had been target shooting with a group of friends near Payson in May. He told investigators he called 911 from his cellphone to report what became the Sunflower Fire and was told to leave the area. Investigators later tracked down the group through a license plate on their vehicle.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:57 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:57:40 GMT
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
The federal judge presiding over civil rights challenges to the stop-and-frisk practices of the New York Police Department has no doubt where she stands with the government.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:25 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:25:40 GMT
Metro-North is urging commuters in Connecticut to make alternate plans starting on Monday. Train service on much of the New Haven line remains suspended after Friday's train derailment
Metro-North is urging commuters in Connecticut to make alternate plans starting on Monday. Train service on much of the New Haven line remains suspended after Friday's train derailment
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:21 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:21:50 GMT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information on Sunday regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
The Connecticut Department of Transportation and Metro-North Railroad released the following information on Sunday regarding service on the New Haven commuter rail line
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:35 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:35:12 GMT
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
A bicyclist was killed when he was struck by a livery cab in Brooklyn early Sunday morning. Police say the victim was riding eastbound on Eastern Parkway between Underhill and Washington Avenues
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:05:54 GMT
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Amtrak announced Sunday night that service remains suspended between New York and New Haven, with limited Amtrak service available between Boston and New Haven.
Sunday, May 19 2013 7:26 PM EDT2013-05-19 23:26:29 GMT
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
The NYPD are looking for the suspect who shot and killed a 14-year-old girl on a Queens MTA bus Saturday night. The incident happened around 8:50 p.m. on Sutphin and Rockaway Boulevard
Sunday, May 19 2013 6:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 22:42:18 GMT
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) announced a new legislation to reduce debt on federal loans. Gillibrand is proposing the "Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act"
Sunday, May 19 2013 3:14 PM EDT2013-05-19 19:14:07 GMT
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Authorities say one person is dead and another was injured when the vehicle they were in ran off the road and crashed into Huntington harbor on Long Island Saturday evening.
Steven Craig Shiflet
