Fall River man previously on probation for arson sentenced to prison for setting fire to several homes

BROCKTON – A Fall River man has been sentenced to prison on charges that he set fire to homes in Hull, Hanson and Brockton, Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz has announced.

On October 11, 2022, 55-year-old Mark Sargent, pleaded guilty to two counts of Burning of a Dwelling, and one count of Burning of a Personal Property. Plymouth Superior Court Judge William Sullivan sentenced Sargent to serve 10 years to 10 years and one day. The Commonwealth had recommended that Sargent serve 16 to 17 years in state prison. Sargent is currently in custody, serving a 10-year sentence on a probation violation.

“The multiple arsons that were committed by this defendant were an outrageous course of conduct that endangered residents and firefighters, and destroyed property,” DA Cruz said. “I commend the hard work of investigators who came together across state agencies to identify Sargent as the arsonist, and first responders who risked themselves to extinguish these fires and keep the public safe.”

On October 4, 2017, Sargent, who was out on probation on arson charges, was arrested for setting fire to 175 East Ashland Street in Brockton. The early-morning fire in the single-story commercial building which housed Bay State Shredding, was determined to be intentionally set.

Investigators obtained surveillance video of Sargent splashing what was determined to be gasoline, around the staircase and doorway of the building at East Ashland Street. As part of that fire investigation, through interviews and evidence, it was determined that Sargent set three additional fires in South Shore towns. The investigation found that on September 24, 2017, Sargent set fire to a garage located at 72 East Washington Street in Hanson. The investigation found that Sargent also set fire to a three-floor apartment building at 1210 Montello Street in Brockton on October 4, 2017.

Assistant District Attorney Alexander Zane prosecuted the case. The investigation was conducted by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office, the Brockton Fire and Police Departments, the State Police Fire & Explosion Investigation Unit assigned to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.