Naperville arsonist won't go to prison, but must leave neighborhood
A convicted Naperville arsonist who sparked nearly $1 million in damage avoided prison Thursday after he agreed to move out of the neighborhood where he wreaked havoc during an 18-month crime spree.
An apologetic Richard J. Knapp blamed his bad behavior on his alcoholism due to stress and depression. He faced probation or three to seven years in prison.
In a ruling that angered victims, Will County Circuit Judge Richard C. Schoenstedt sentenced Knapp to 180 days in jail. He is eligible for day-to-day credit.
Knapp also was ordered to pay about $850,000 in restitution, undergo counseling and serve four years' probation. The judge ruled Knapp, a 51-year-old real estate agent, must remain on home confinement while on probation. He is allowed to go to certain places such as work, school, church or to get counseling.
In a unique decision, Schoenstedt also ordered Knapp to put his house on the 3900 block of Highknob Circle up for sale within six months. He must move at least one mile away. The judge said the conditions of Knapp's home confinement may be eased after the move.
Knapp did not have a prior violent criminal history.
He pleaded guilty Jan. 2 to four counts of felony arson for torching three houses that were under construction and a portable toilet during an 18-month spree that stretched back to March 31, 2006.
Police arrested Knapp after neighbors in his Tall Grass subdivision reported seeing him early that morning empty dousing their garbage with an accelerant.
One family had to flee Jan. 11, 2007, after a fire Knapp ignited to a house under construction on Willow Ridge Drive in the Ashbury neighborhood spread to the exterior of the occupied home. The family was uninjured, but members were displaced for nine months. The victims left court angry Thursday.
"Our hearts go out to them," said Chuck Pelkie, a Will County state's attorney spokesman. "Based upon the tremendous property damage and potential for harm to human life, we strongly felt a term of imprisonment in excess of the minimum was appropriate."
Deputies escorted Knapp to the Will County jail Thursday to begin serving his sentence. He had been free after posting $20,000 bail.