Seth R. Schmidt, 22, Greenfield
HANCOCK COUNTY — The Greenfield man charged with setting a fire in a local apartment complex in July of 2023 had his case settled late last week in Hancock County Circuit following the acceptance of a plea deal by Judge Scott Sirk.
Seth Robert Schmidt, 22, 2100 block of Crossing Lane Apartment was given a six-year term for the Level 4 felony count of arson according to court records. Two years of the term are to be served at the Hancock County Jail followed by two years through Hancock County Community Corrections Home Detention with the remaining two years suspended to formal probation.
Schmidt will get credit for time served which totaled 401 days on the day of sentencing Aug. 15.
The incident involving Schmidt happened July 11, 2023. That’s when officials from the Greenfield Police Department were dispatched to the 2100 block of Crossing Lane, at the Crossing Apartment complex to assist the Greenfield Fire Territory (GFT) on a structure fire.
Upon arrival, fire crews found an active fire inside the apartment and were able to quickly extinguish the blaze. The fire was contained to one apartment.
During the investigation, officials learned from witnesses a domestic disturbance occurred immediately prior to the fire. Officials found evidence located at the scene which led to the belief Schmidt committed arson.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a woman living in the apartment with Schmidt told officials she was getting ready to leave for work when an argument started and Schmidt stated he was going to burn her stuff.
The report noted the woman said Schmidt took her apartment key, so she left the residence. While she was outside, she heard a loud bang and saw Schmidt coming out of the apartment saying there was a fire. The woman stated that she knew where a fire extinguisher was and went back inside the residence and tried to extinguish the fire.
According to the probable cause affidavit, it was later researched and confirmed through police records that officers had been dispatched to the same apartment involving the same individuals approximately five times since the beginning of the month.
Officials advised the fire took place inside a closet of a bedroom Schmidt and the woman shared. The woman advised the fire was approximately the same size as a camp fire and that a good amount of smoke was inside the apartment during the time of the fire.
Schmidt denied starting the fire in the closet, officials said in the affidavit. However, he was arrested and has been charged.
Steve Kropacek, the GFT fire marshal, was able to determine the fire started on the carpet floor within the closet, officials said in the report. He also found a damaged aluminum can, which appeared to be hairspray, which had exploded from the inside, the affidavit said.
Officials from the Greenfield Fire Territory who worked the case noted, Schmidt is the sixth person convicted of arson in the last three and half years with the assistance of local law enforcement and the Greenfield Fire Territory Fire Prevention Division.
The Greenfield Fire Territory wanted to remind everyone if they see something suspicious, say something. They also thanked local law enforcement partners for their help in the community in bringing arson suspects to justice.
