Mathew Clark Pleads Guilty, Gets Prison Time

The man who started the fire that burned down the Newcomb Hotel is sentenced to seven years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to arson and theft charges in Pike County.

26-year-old Mathew Clark pleaded guilty in Pike County Circuit Court in Pittsfield to one count of arson and one count of theft over $10,000. Along with prison time, Clark will have to pay over $80,000 in restitution.

Clark is also expected to plead guilty to similar charges in Adams County.

Clark is alleged to have stolen trucks and heavy equipment in Quincy and burned one of the trucks in a barn fire in Pike County last August.