(Sioux City)– A Fort Dodge man has been sentenced in U-S District Court for his role in torching the Pizza Ranch building in Manson.
39-year-old William John Barber pleaded guilty in May to an arson charge in the case. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison without parole. Barber was also ordered to pay restitution of slightly more than 200-thousand dollars.
Barber admitted he hired another man, John Ragsdale, to set fire to the building which housed two other businesses in addition to the restaurant.
Ragsdale, who lived in Georgia at the time of the incident, has pleaded guilty to his role in setting the fire. His sentencing is set for September 10th.
At his plea hearing, Barber said he left cans of gas in the building and directed Ragsdale to use the gas to start the fire on December 31st, 2000.
