/Sacramento

Roseville Galleria arson suspect Alexander Piggee pleads guilty

The 24-year-old suspect in last October's Roseville Galleria mall fire has changed his plea, admitting to two counts of arson in Sacramento federal court Tuesday.

Related story: Mall arsonist caught a break with feds

In February, Alexander Piggee entered a plea of not guilty to the charges.

Piggee was accused of entering The Game Stop in the Galleria Oct. 21 and starting a fire in a back storeroom. Store employees told police Piggee claimed he was carrying an explosive device.

The mall was evacuated and the fire smoldered through the mall's ceiling and duct system. Flames, smoke and water damage left dozens of stores closed. Some retailers have not reopened.

A federal grand jury indicted Piggee for arson in that incident and for a fire earlier that October morning at a Wal-Mart.

As part of his plea deal with the U.S. Attorney's Office, Piggee will also plead guilty in Sacramento County Superior Court to setting his grandmother's house on fire before the Oct. 21 arsons.

Piggee will serve prison time concurrently for the crimes. Federal prosecutors have recommended a sentence of 10 years.

After the hearing, prosecutor Steve Lapham said a plea agreement was offered because Piggee did not have a criminal history and he did not intend to financially gain from the arsons. Lapham also said Piggee's age - he was just 23 when the crimes were committed - played a part.

Defense attorney Johnny Griffin said even though all parties agreed his client was mentally competent to plead guilty, had Piggee had psychological help earlier, he wouldn't have set the fires. Griffin said since Piggee has been in jail, he has been receiving the treatment he didn't have.

U.S. District Court Judge John A. Mendez said he may order Piggee to pay restitution. Mall damage was tallied at more than $55 million.

Sentencing was set for May 24.

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