Man gets 4 years for Ohio church arson

MARYSVILLE, Ohio (AP) — A judge has sentenced a 31-year-old man to more than four years in prison for burning down a central Ohio church in January.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that Stephen Beightler was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges of arson, vandalism and breaking-and-entering related to his burning of the New Horizons Baptist Church in Marysville.

Authorities say Beightler, who grew up in the area, stole a car from his roommate in Philadelphia on Jan. 10, drove to Marysville and drove through the doors of the church. Then he poured gasoline around the building, set it ablaze and watched from a nearby playground swing. The church was destroyed.

No one has publicly offered a motive for the fire.