Cole County Judge Jon Beetem recently sentenced a Jefferson City man to five years in prison for pleading guilty to multiple charges stemming from an incident in September that included trying to set someone on fire.
The six-count indictment charges Christopher Thompson, 36, 605 Houchin St., with first-degree domestic assault "by attempting to cause serious physical injury to a female by spraying gasoline on her and using a lighter to try to set her on fire."
He also is charged with first-degree arson, second-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest and two counts of armed criminal action.
His sentence will run concurrent with existing prison time he is serving.
Police reported when officers arrived on the scene they were told by a woman that Thompson had sprayed her twice with gasoline and attempted to light her on fire.
She also said she saw Thompson spray gasoline inside the residence and attempt to light it on fire while she was still inside.
When officers contacted Thompson, he was spraying himself with gasoline and holding a lighter. Officers attempted to persuade him to put the lighter down and stop dousing himself with gasoline.
But Thompson was able to spray one officer with gasoline as well.
As the officers tried to get him to stop, Thompson started striking the lighter in an effort to light it.
Police subdued and arrested him without anyone being hurt, and no fire was started.