Former volunteer firefighter pleads guilty to starting multiple fires

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)

A former firefighter with the Russellville-Lohman Fire Protection District pleaded guilty to three charges for setting fires in 2021 and 2022.

Joshua Gerstner, 19, pleaded guilty to three felony counts of knowingly burning or exploding and was placed on five years of supervised probation. He must also complete an approved treatment program.

A Cole County Sheriff's Department report stated investigators found Gerstner set the first fire Nov. 30, 2021. A barn and hay bales were reported on fire in the area of Route AA and Scrivner Road. Gerstner was the person who reported the fire.

Gerstner told investigators in March he burned a hay barn owned by his girlfriend's family out of anger in November and that he started two grass fires, on Scrivener Road and at Route A and Curtman Road, in mid-February because he was "bored," according to the probable cause statement.

Gerstner is also facing a charge of knowingly burning or exploding and a charge of second-degree arson in Moniteau County.

A motion to revoke his bond was issued on Thursday in Moniteau County.

According to online court records, Erika Eliason is listed as the attorney for the defendant.

Gerstner's arraignment is scheduled for Friday.