An Omaha man who prosecutors say was paid to set fire to a building has pleaded guilty in federal court.
William Richards, 47, faces five to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for malicious destruction of the P-K Manufacturing Corp. building south of Fort Calhoun.
A plea agreement says Richards will cooperate with authorities in future investigations and that prosecutors will recommend a sentence on the low end of the range.
The agreement does not say who paid Richards to set the building on fire. Richards is scheduled to be sentenced May 18.
The P-K building burned Nov. 20, 2008, causing several million dollars in damage. The business, which was insured, manufactures equipment for agricultural and lawn and garden use. — Roseann Moring
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