Man Sentenced in CCE Arson Case
Sentencing begins for two charged in CCE arson
EASTFORD — The sentencing process has begun for two charged in connection to the destruction of the Congregational Church of Eastford (CCE) more than two-and-a-half years ago.
On Friday, Sept. 5, a male suspect, who was a minor at the time of the incident but has since turned 19 and was tried as an adult, was sentenced to 20 years of jailtime (with execution to be suspended after three years, and probation after five years). In addition, a female minor (who was also underage at the time of the incident, but has since turned 19), was due to enter a plea on Oct. 28, which was after The Communicator’s press deadline.
In practice, the sentencing for the male minor means that despite the 20-year sentence, the person will only serve three years in actual custody, and the remaining 17 years are suspended. That means those years will not be served unless the person violates probation or commits another crime. After being released from those three years in custody, the person must complete five years of probation, under supervision and with conditions (such as regular check-ins, no new offenses, etc.). However, if they violate probation or reoffend, the court can re-impose some or all of that suspended time.
The sentencing brings to a conclusion a case that goes back to April 23, 2023, when the Congregational Church of Eastford, then located at 8 Church Rd., burned to the ground in an overnight fire. Connecticut State Police Troop D, along with the Connecticut State Police Fire & Explosives Investigation Unit (FEIU), Eastern District Major Crimes, and federal agents from the bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, conducted the investigation that led to the arrest of the two then-minors, who were also connected to a similar incident in South Windsor and a break in and small fire at Crystal Pond Park in Woodstock, police said.
On Sept. 8, 2023, the juvenile male was charged with first-degree arson, third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. On Sept. 27, 2023, the juvenile female was charged with first-degree conspiracy to commit arson, third-degree burglary, first-degree criminal mischief, and first-degree reckless endangerment.
In the more than two-and-a-half years since the fire, CCE has since purchased land on John Perry Road, and construction continues on a new building, which is currently planned to open sometime next summer. CCE Pastor Mike Moran, in a written column exclusive to the Communicator back in June, expressed his belief that despite the tragic loss of the building, God has used this situation to bless his congregation.
“Our time without a building has been one of great blessings,” he wrote in June. “Our church family has grown substantially, and we are thriving in every way.”
In a message written to his congregation on Sept. 5, and provided directly from him to the Communicator, Moran stated that he was able to make a statement in court at the sentencing earlier that day, which concluded with remarks that expressed his forgiveness that is a hallmark of the Christian faith.
“It is our heart to forgive [you] of these crimes against us just as God in Jesus has forgiven us – completely and unconditionally,” Moran said directly to the suspect that day. “I want you to know that we forgive you, without conditions, and that we love you. Our deepest desire is for God’s very best and greatest blessings for you. We also know that sometimes we must go through difficult passages in this life to receive God’s best. We entrust those matters to the judicial system.”
The Congregational Church of Eastford was burned to the ground on April 23, 2023. Sentencing began in September in relation to the arson that destroyed the building. Photos courtesy Woodstock Volunteer Fire Association Station 76