Man Charged with Christmas Day Arson Found Guilty, Sentenced

Last week, Ryan Martinelli, 34 of Bethel, was found guilty of first degree arson and risk of injury to a child at State Superior Court in Danbury. For each of the charges, he was sentenced to seven years in jail and a total of seven years of special parole.

Martinelli's charges stem from an  2010, when the Bethel Police and fire departments responded to a report of an explosion and fire on 22 Maple Ave.

According to the police report, "responding units found the rear deck on fire and it was quickly extinguished." The Fire Marshal's office later determined that the fire had been intentionally set.

At 10 p.m. on Christmas Day, Martinelli, who address was reported as the "city streets" in Bethel, turned himself in to Danbury Police, and the Bethel Police came to place him in their custody.

Martinelli was held at $1 million bond and originally charged with arson in the first degree, risk of injury to a minor and criminal mischief in the first degree.