[A] Berlin man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to charges related to an arson case in Northfield that left one woman dead.
Howard Hoisington, 34, pleaded guilty to robbery and arson charges, according to an announcement from the office of the U.S. attorney for the District of Vermont.
One December night, the group, including Hoisington, drove to Northfield and went to the home of Efren Serrano, where they had arranged to buy drugs.
Hoisington, Jonathan Zampieri and Kevin Atwood kicked in the door of the apartment and doused Serrano and his girlfriend Brittany Burt in gasoline, which they carried in two mason jars, according to the U.S. attorney.
According to the prosecutor, the men, including Hoisington, demanded Serrano’s drugs and then, when he didn’t respond, pulled out a lighter. The room exploded in flames because of the fumes.
Hoisington, Zampieri and Atwood escaped. Serrano also was able to get out of the building, but sustained serious injuries. Burt died in the bedroom, according to the report.
Though arson can carry a life sentence under federal law, Hoisington’s plea agreement caps his sentence at 25 years in prison.
Zampieri and two others facing charges related to the case already pleaded guilty. Atwood died of apparent suicide while incarcerated last year.
