Man accused in Cape Girardeau arson pleads guilty to property damage

A Cape Girardeau man originally accused of setting a fire in his ex-girlfriend's apartment in August pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced misdemeanor charge of property damage.

With his plea, Clayton Anderson, 21, admitted to kicking in a window to the apartment at 807 N. Sprigg St. He was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Benjamin Lewis -- who heard the plea at the county courthouse in Jackson -- to serve 30 days in the county jail, but was given credit for time already served. He has been incarcerated since his arrest.

Anderson originally faced charges of felony arson, burglary and stealing in connection to the Aug. 7 crime. The tenant, Heather Leadbetter, told police at the time Anderson may have started a fire at her apartment, which began shortly after Anderson was seen running from the location, according to court documents filed after the defendant's arrest.

A witness who saw Anderson at the scene identified him from a lineup later at the police station.

Anderson has two prior convictions in Cape Girardeau County, including resisting arrest in February last year and unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, in July 2007.

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Pertinent Address:

100 Court St., Jackson, MO

807 N. Sprigg St., Cape Girardeau, MO