A Dunmore man admitted pouring gasoline throughout a borough apartment and throwing a match on it, igniting a blaze that severely burned two people this summer.
On Friday, Mark Loughney pleaded guilty to two felony counts of aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and one felony count of arson before Lackawanna County Judge Michael J. Barrasse.
Wearing a county prison jumpsuit, Mr. Loughney, 35, offered a series of short, affirmative answers, saying no more than "yes sir" and "yes, your honor," when asked by the judge if he set the blaze in his neighborhood on July 15.
That day was his 35th birthday.
The arson arose out of a series of fights between Mr. Loughney and several occupants of a two-unit apartment building at 1611 Electric St., police said.
Holding a red can filled with gasoline, Mr. Loughney, of 1615 Electric St., poured and splashed the gas throughout several rooms in the apartment. Then he tossed a match on the gas.
Corey Miles, one of two victims who suffered severe burns and was treated at a burn unit at Lehigh Valley Medical Center in Allentown, said he fled the apartment with his legs on fire.
"I told you not to (expletive) with me," Mr. Loughney told him, according to police.
Mr. Loughney was also treated at the burn unit.
While there, it cost county taxpayers about $1,000 a day to pay for guards to keep around-the-clock watch over him.
Mr. Loughney is the son of borough Mayor Patrick W. "Nibs" Loughney.
"The situation is tragic. It really hit Dunmore," Mark Loughney's attorney, Joe D'Andrea, said. "The mayor is a wonderful fellow. I know some of the victims' families, and they are all really nice people. I am sorry for the pain that they had to endure."
Initially, Mr. Loughney was charged with 35 counts, including six counts of attempted homicide, eight counts of arson, and charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, causing catastrophe, burglary and criminal trespass.
Outside the courtroom, Assistant District Attorney Mark Giannotti said the plea ensures Mr. Loughney "doesn't get a slap on the wrist" and will spend considerable time in state prison.
By consenting to plead guilty on the aggravated assault and arson charges, Mr. Loughney faces a maximum sentence of 60 years in state prison.
"Mark is terribly remorseful, and he understands and accepts the fact that he will be receiving a substantial penalty for his actions," Mr. D'Andrea said.
After the hearing, sheriff's deputies whisked Mr. Loughney away to be returned to Lackawanna County Prison.
He has remained there on $1 million bail since his arrest. His sentencing date was not announced.
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