PORTLAND, Maine (AP) - A former shipyard worker accused of setting a fire that caused about $450 million in damage to a nuclear-powered submarine pleaded guilty Thursday under a plea agreement that could send him to federal prison for nearly 20 years.
Casey James Fury, formerly of Portsmouth, N.H., waived indictment and pleaded guilty to two counts of arson, U.S. Attorney Thomas Delahanty II said.
The 24-year-old Fury pleaded guilty to setting the fire inside the sub on May 23, as well as a second fire outside the sub on June 16 that caused little damage. The first fire carried a maximum sentence of life in federal prison, but both the defense and prosecutors agreed to recommend a sentence that ranges roughly between 15 years and 19 years.
Fury, a painter and sand blaster, told Navy investigators that he set the fires to get out of work because he was suffering from anxiety and having problems with his ex-girlfriend.
David Beneman, Fury's attorney, said he anticipated that sentencing would occur in March. He declined to discuss the plea agreement.
Delahanty planned a noon news conference to discuss details.
It took more than 100 firefighters to save the Miami in dry dock at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, after the fire quickly spread through forward compartments.![]()
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