Two plead guilty to setting Sphar fire

Published 4:02 pm Monday, June 24, 2019

The two people charged with setting a fire inside the Sphar building earlier this month pleaded guilty to wanton endangerment Thursday.

Jason Crosswhite, 39 of 2110 Dover Court, and Amber Osborne, 36 of 101 N. Highland St., were arrested June 8 after a fire was reported in the vacant, crumbling building on North Main Street.

The fire itself was small and did no significant damage, but both were charged with multiple counts of wanton endangerment after two police officers and four firefighters had to to into the building to find them when the refused to leave.

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Crosswhite told police they entered the building through an unlocked door and started a fire with paper and cards.

After waiving their cases to Clark Circuit Court Wednesday, Crosswhite and Osborne each pleaded guilty to one count of wanton endangerment. According to court records, Osborne’s sentence was probated for three years with the condition that she complete drug court or long-term treatment.

Crosswhite’s sentence would be diverted for two years, provided he completes long-term treatment as well.

Both are scheduled to be sentenced July 16.

The Sphar building, at 127 N. Main St., is a former seed warehouse which is more than 130 years old.

The City of Winchester owns the building and has been working to renovate or restore the building to a public use for several years.

The building is fenced to keep people out.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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