http://www.kcci.com/article/alexander-hoff-sentenced-on-arson-charge/21051957
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI) —
An Iowa teenager responsible for burning down a historic Madison County covered bridge will avoid prison time after a judge handed down a suspended 10-year sentence with five years’ probation and community service.
Alexander Hoff, 17, of West Des Moines, pleaded guilty to second-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief charges in connection with the destruction of the iconic Cedar Covered Bridge in April 2017. He had originally been charged with first-degree arson.
As part of his sentence, Hoff must also receive substance abuse training and a mental health evaluation.
In court Friday, prosecutors showed a video of a jail fight in December, in which Hoff repeatedly threw punches at another inmate and placed vulgar phone calls where the defendant talks to friends and families about not being “some criminal mastermind.”
But psychologists from the state and the defense came to different conclusions.
Dr. Veronica Lestina, the state’s forensic psychologist, said she believes that Hoff is “at a high risk of ongoing criminal conduct including potential violence,” while Dr. Luis Rosell, the defense’s forensic psychologist, said he doesn’t believe Hoff is at high risk.
There was a consensus, though, that Hoff has a history of alcohol and opiate abuse, which contributed to his actions.
“I would just like to apologize for the pain that I inflicted onto the community with my actions,” Hoff said. “It was a selfish reason why I acted out. It wasn’t fair. It wasn’t justified. I definitely do regret it.”
Hoff’s attorney, Teresa Pope, said her client has shown remorse and that “he’s got to learn from that choice. He’s got to take the right steps, and I think he’s doing that.”
“I feel like I have more potential to give this world than sitting in a prison cell,” Hoff said.
Hoff had two accomplices, Joel Davis and Alivia Bergman, in the Cedar Bridge arson, who also avoided prison time.
A judge granted them each a deferred judgment, which means unlike Hoff, their convictions may be removed from their records when they complete probation.
The only thing this drug addicted turd regrets is getting caught and having to apologize for things he doesn’t feel bad about. His concerns about his “potential” are nothing more than concerns about his freedom. His real potential is as an ongoing addict who will continuously cost his community resources as a result of his drug use and criminal actions.
Most of us pulled some shit when we were kids, but this kids attitude is like he got caught pulling a prank and can’t believe he actually was put in jail for a little bit. Of course if he had any kind of real clue, he wouldn’t be using opiates at 17 and blaming everything on his addiction.