Flag-burning store arsonist sentenced

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A man who set fire to numerous American flags and then a Grandville candle store will serve six months in jail.

William Howerton pleaded guilty in October to the March arson at the Yankee Candle store at RiverTown Crossings Mall.

In court Thursday, he admitted he had been drinking at the time. He promised he is now sober and will not set any more fires.

As part of his plea deal, he was sentenced to six months in jail with credit for 132 days already served.

As he has in other court hearings, Howerton used his Thursday court appearance to speak out about the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

"You could put me away for up to 10 years and it wouldn't change my mind or my belief that 9/11 was a secret government operation," he said. "If a plane crashed into this building, would you expect this building to collapse? No, I don't think so. Those buildings were brought down by controlled demolition. They blew those towers to smithereens."

"Let's stay to the issue here, sir," the judge interrupted.

Howerton could have been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

In July, Howerton set fire to at least eight flags from Hudsonville to Jenison. He was ordered to pay almost $4,000 dollars in fines for those fires.