A former rural Iowa firefighter has been sentenced to up to 25 years in prison after admitting to lighting several fires he later helped combat.

Kendall Rhoads, 61, lived in Grundy Center and had served six years on the fire department in nearby Holland, according to investigators. Prosecutors alleged that from April to September 2023, Rhoads started more than a dozen fires in Grundy County. Most began in ditches and spread to nearby farm fields, while others were set in abandoned buildings. No injuries were reported in connection with the fires.

Rhoads was charged in September with 13 counts of arson and one charge of reckless use of fire or explosives. In May, he entered a plea agreement, admitting to two felony charges of second-degree arson, and on Monday, he was sentenced before Judge Andrea Dryer.

Under the deal, Rhoads faced 10 years on each charge but was free to argue for a suspended sentence. Dryer, though, refused to suspend Rhoads’ sentences, and ordered him to serve both prison terms consecutively.

In addition, Rhoads was on probation at the time of the fires as part of a deferred judgment on domestic abuse and intimidation charges. Dryer revoked Rhoads’ deferred judgment and sentenced him to five years on those charges, to run consecutive to the arson case for a total of up to 25 years.

Grundy County Attorney Erika Allen did not respond to requests for comment about the case. Defense attorney Andrew Abbot could not be reached for comment.

Des Moines man gets probation for Fleur Lodge fire

In another arson case, a judge in Polk County sentenced the man behind a fire that damaged a Des Moines motel to probation Tuesday.

Richard Thompson, 34, was charged with first-degree arson in the August 2023 fire at the Fleur Lodge in Des Moines. In April, he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of criminal mischief and threats to commit arson.

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In the complaint, prosecutors said Thompson can be seen on video fleeing from a hotel room before visible flames emerged. In a subsequent interview he reportedly told police that he “got away with” another fire at the motel. He previously had been charged in another fire at the Econo Lodge on Merle Hay Road in Des Moines, where a cigarette caused a mattress to ignite, and pleaded guilty to public intoxication.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced before Judge Christopher Kemp to probation in lieu of a 10-year suspended sentence for the Fleur Lodge blaze. He won’t be set free right away, however, as he will remain in jail until a space opens for him at the Fort Des Moines Community Corrections Complex. Kemp ordered he receive substance abuse and mental health evaluations.

Court records show Thompson has a history of mental health issues, including diagnoses of schizophrenia and other conditions. He was evaluated by a psychiatrist after his arrest, although the court ultimately determined he was competent for trial.

Thompson waived the right to address the court before sentencing. Prosecutor Jordan Roling after the hearing did not have any information on the degree of damage caused by Thompson’s fire.

William Morris covers courts for the Des Moines Register. He can be contacted at wrmorris2@registermedia.com or 715-573-8166.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa ex-firefighter sent to prison for arsons and domestic abuse