8 years in prison for woman tied to Fostoria arson

A Toledo woman was sentenced to eight years in prison Tuesday afternoon for her involvement in a Fostoria arson. Cara P. Smith, 28, pleaded guilty to a charge of complicity to aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, in Seneca County Common Pleas Court Judge Steve Shuff's courtroom. Shuff followed the joint sentence recommendation and sentenced Smith to eight years in prison. He granted her credit for 55 days already served. Seneca County Prosecutor's Office is not to object to a timely filed motion for judicial release if there are no unfavorable reports from the institution. Smith would be eligible for judicial release when she serves five years in prison, said Rhonda Best, assistant Seneca County prosecutor. Smith must register as an arson offender. Fostoria Police Department received a call about smoke under the kitchen sink of a house at 231 Sandusky St. at 2:49 a.m. Oct. 31. Court records state multiple Molotov cocktails — glass bottles filled with a flammable liquid with a cloth, in the opening, lit on fire — were thrown at the residence. The projectiles caused the building to catch fire, and it extended into the basement, wall space and interior occupied areas, they state. Court records state Reginald and Lynn Bowers occupied the home. It is owned by Burnelleane Bowers, according to the Seneca County Auditor's Office website. Anne Ardner, a victim advocate, read a statement and said it had been a difficult and emotional time for the family. The family has owned the home for at least 45 years, she said. "Two generations have grown up in the home," she said. John Kahler, Smith's attorney, said Smith regretted her involvement in the incident. She was an accomplice and was not the "mastermind" behind the plot, he said. Smith apologized before sentencing. "Thanks for the sentence recommendation," she said. Four others were charged in connection to the fire. Shawn M. Gregg, 26, of Fostoria, was charged with complicity to arson, a first-degree felony, and possessing criminal tools, a fifth-degree felony; and Christopher J. Douglas, 27, of Toledo, was charged with complicity to aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, court records state. Two teenagers were charged with aggravated arson, a first-degree felony. In court Tuesday, Best said two youths are going into residential facilities for their involvement in the incident.