BRADENTON, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced today the sentencing of serial arsonist Shawn Vincent to 18 years in prison and 12 years of probation for two counts of arson to an occupied dwelling and one count of arson to a motorcycle. Vincent was arrested in May 2017 by CFO Patronis' arson team for two fires in the Bradenton area.

 

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Arson is a dangerous crime that not only destroys property, but it has deadly consequences. I am proud of my dedicated team of arson detectives and their tireless efforts to keep dangerous criminals off the streets. If you commit arson in Florida, you will be caught and you will be held accountable.”

 

A two-year investigation by CFO Patronis’ arson detectives, along with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), led to Vincent’s arrest in May 2017. During the investigation, Vincent claimed responsibility for over 100 fires spanning a 30-year period, including fires he set in New York.