United States (Oklahoma) - A former wildlands fire fighter pleaded guilty last week to 56 felony counts of arson and 56 felony counts of endangering or causing personal injury to human life during the commission of arson. Mike Adam Malenski, 39, was ordered to spend 10 years in prison with five years suspended for one count of each charge. The other 110 charges against him were dismissed.

Malenski is also required to pay $37,051.55 in restitution, plus a $1,000 fine and court costs. Following his release, Malenski will be required to undergo a mental health evaluation, and is also to cooperate with and participate in a training video where he will discuss "triggers and thoughts" that occur while setting fires, court records show.

Malenski is set to reappear in Cherokee County District Court in one year for a judicial review. Prosecutors did not object to the one-year review, court documents show.

An Oklahoma Forestry Services fire fighter for seven years, Malenski became a suspect in numerous fires that burned approximately 10,000 acres in the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area between 2010 and 2011. Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Services Investigators reportedly used a tracking device on Malenski's work vehicle, and discovered he was on duty when the fires were set, always responded, and was typically the first person to arrive at the scene.

After his arrest, Malenski allegedly told investigators setting the fires was his "way to escape," and admitted he'd set the fires.

Written by Tahlequah Daily Press