Spice of India owner sentenced to a year for arson plot

YOUNGSTOWN — The former owner of the Spice of India restaurant in Boardman was sentenced in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court today to a year sentence for his role in an arson and insurance fraud scheme.

Rajendra Ingle, 42, of Streetsboro, was given the sentence for his role in the Oct. 18, 2013 fire that destroyed the Market Street restaurant.

He pleaded no contest May 18 to charges of arson and insurance fraud and was found guilty. Prosecutors said he paid two other co-defendants, Jessie Winphrie, 23 and Christopher Reynolds, 21, $500 each to set the fire and an employee and third co-defendant, Sonia Bhatia, let Reynolds and Winphrie in the restaurant.

Prosecutors said Ingle tried to file an insurance claim but it was never paid because an investigation determined the fire was arson.

The owner of the building did address the court at sentencing.

The other three defendants are also being sentenced today.