Man found guilty of burning female's underwear

GUILDERLAND — After a trial, a Slingerlands man, who burned a female victim’s lingerie, was found guilty of arson on Sept. 28 in Albany County Court in front of Judge Peter Lynch, according to the district attorney’s office.

Jeremy P. McGowan, 39, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2014, at 407 Vesper Court, after member of the Guilderland Police Department, Westmere Fire Department, Fort Hunter Fire Department, and McKownville Fire Department responded to a call at the address at approximately 3:08 a.m.

After the fire was extinguished, an investigation determined that McGowan, during a domestic dispute, had opened one of the female victim’s dresser drawers, removed her lingerie, placed in it the bathtub in the master bathroom, and lit it on fire before leaving the house, according to a press release from the Albany County District Attorney’s Office.

The fire, said the release, grew substantially within minutes, and caused damage to the bathtub and surrounding areas.

There were three people in the house but no injuries as a result of the fire, according to the Guilderland Police report.

McGowan was arrested for second-degree arson, first-degree reckless endangerment, and second-degree criminal mischief, all felonies, and fifth-degree arson, a misdemeanor.

He was found guilty last month of one count of fourth-degree arson, a felony, and faces one-and-one-third years to four years in prison when sentenced on Nov. 19.

Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Cheryl Fowler is prosecuting the case.

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