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Circuit Court Judge Donald Teeple sentenced Edwin G. James III to five years probation and 270 days in jail with credit for 10 days already served. However, he deferred James' jail time to the end of his probation, and James will not have to serve the remainder of his jail term if he successfully completes his probation. James must also complete substance abuse treatment and mental health counseling.

He pled no contest to two counts of attempted arson of a dwelling house and to two counts of arson personal property $200 - $1,000. The judge accepted the arson personal property $200 -$1,000 and deferred acceptance of the attempted arson charges pending successful completion of probation.

In March James was arrested for setting fires to two bulletin boards in the hallways of two apartments in the Pope Apartments complex in Port Sanilac. The fires were out when the firemen arrived but there was still heavy smoke in the buildings, and about two dozen people were evacuated. No one was injured.