Man to pay nearly $40,000 for 2007 dune fire

Tue, May 6, 2008

Nearly a year after he set a North Shore Road field on fire, a 23-year-old Ferrysburg man was ordered to pay $39,670 in restitution Monday.

In addition to restitution, Dennis Lee Neal, 17990 North Shore Road, Lot 67, was sentenced to 40 days in jail and three years probation for attempted arson of woods and prairies. Neal pleaded guilty to the charge March 24 — more than nine months after he started a grassy dune on fire in July 2007.

Neal turned himself into Spring Lake/Ferrysburg Police three days after the fire near North Shore Mobile Home and RV Park in Ferrysburg that spread several acres west of the park.

According to police, Neal was camping with three friends in the woods near the scene of the fire when he shot off a flare gun around 11:15 a.m. July 8, 2007. A short time later, a second shot flew over a dune and landed in the field, which started the fire, police said. Several witnesses saw Neal and his friends leave the scene around the time of the fire.

Neal has already served 40 days in jail, but must serve his probation and pay restitution.