The Fairbanks man was found guilty Thursday for committing a string Arson-related incidents in the Pleasant Valley and Two Rivers area during this summer 2021. Jamison Gallion, who is 19 years old received a sentence from Superior Court Judge Paul Lyle to serve 24 years in prison.
Gallion He was just 17 an older in the year he was detained on August 20, 2021. was considered an adult when he was tried.
In light of the time in the wake of his arrest and the possibility of a reduction of one third sentence in good behavior, Lyle said Gallion’s mandatory release date will be 2037. Gallion will also be required to make restitution payments to victims as well as forfeiture of any dividends from the permanent fund.
Gallion admitted the ignominy of seven homes including two houses that contained people. He pleaded guilty in the past to felony charges including arson and burglary terroristic threat and criminal mischief.
The judge stressed that it was a “sheer chance” that no one perished or was hurt by the flames Gallion created. Before a packed audience, Lyle explained key factors used in the sentence and the severity of Gallion’s offenses.
“The defendant committed arson attacks that resulted in millions of dollars in damages. He directly threatened the lives of ten individuals and some of them while they lay in bed,” he said.
Lyle also addressed the letters Gallion wrote in the direction of Pleasant Valley Community Association which Gallion said were “terrorizing and taunting the whole Two Rivers-Pleasant valley neighborhood for three consecutive months throughout the summer of 2021.”
Potential for rehabilitation was a different factor in the case, and Lyle pointed out Gallion’s guilt.
“He stood and addressed those he was defending in courtroom, and then apology, something that in the court’s context is not very common,” he said.
Lyle also referred to Gallion’s young age, no prior criminal convictions and the support of his family members as beneficial to his rehabilitation, but expressed doubts about Gallion’s “disturbing motives” for the arson assaults.
“The defendant has stated that he set the arsons off in order to feel the thrill to relieve his stress that would resurface with each fire, to gain personal satisfaction , and because he let his wickedness be his main focus. The letter from June 2021 stated that the arsons were committed to retaliate and relieve anger towards those who were cruel,” Lyle said.
This sentence Lyle handed down was more than those suggested by lawyers for Gallion and the state and the arson victim was shocked Donald McKee.
“After having listened to DA this week, I thought”Oh, he’s probably going to be serving about 10 year,” McKee said. “Well, Judge Lyle put a bit of grit to the issue and I was very happy to hear that.”
McKee and his wife, relatives and a tenant were spared from an blaze which destroyed their multi-structure property. He claims Gallion could have had longer time, but there were some charges removed. He estimates the value of his property was able to lose at approximately $2.5 million. He says arson attacks have been accompanied by a different toll.
“This morning, I took shower, and at the shower’s beginning the power was cut off,” he said. “And the first thing I thought of was , ‘Oh my God it’s another fire. This happens each time the power is cut off. I’m hoping I can be able to overcome it one day.”
The arsonists also damaged and destroyed properties that belong of The Pleasant Valley Community Association. Treasurer of the association and board member of the founding Bob Sugden expressed mixed emotions following the sentencing of Gallion.
“Quite frankly , I’m sick in my stomach at the thought of being reliving all this,” he said. “I think that what’s been done and how it’s been sentenced is just and just. I’m not looking to be reckless and mean-spirited yet at the same time , I would like to ensure that this person doesn’t be able to access our community in the future.”
Sugden is a pastor who believes that Gallion may eventually attain something that resembles a healthy and full life. The courtroom was crowded with people who were present for the sentencinghearing, which included a variety from Pleasant Valley Two Rivers area residents and arson victims, along with family and acquaintances from Jamison Gallion.
Gallion was a bit slack for a portion during the nearly hour-long proceedings, but appeared to be calm and composed when his sentence was read out.
