Final sentencing was held Wednesday morning for the man convicted of attempting to set an occupied Moores Drive home on fire in June of last year.
Fifty-three-year-old Jerome Catlett of Hopkinsville entered an Alford plea in May to one count of first-degree arson and nine-counts of first-degree wanton endangerment, with the deal coming with a recommended 20-year sentence.
Catlett spoke on his own behalf Wednesday morning, admitting that he has a problem with alcohol and saying he had already apologized to individuals who had been in the building when he set the fire.
Circuit Judge John Atkins honored the plea deal and sentenced Catlett to a total of 20 years in prison.
Catlett was captured on video surveillance in June 2018 using gasoline to set fire to the front porch of a building where nine people were inside. The door to the home was open when Catlett lit the gas on fire and a person was standing in the door. No one was seriously injured in the incident and the fire went out without causing significant damage to the brick structure.
Catlett must serve at least 17 years before becoming eligible for parole.