Motel arsonist's sentence stands

SANDPOINT — The Idaho Court of Appeals is upholding the sentence against a mentally ill Louisiana man who set fire to a Fifth Avenue motel in 2009.

David Holden Irby was charged with first-degree arson after starting fire in an upstairs restroom at the Quality Inn, forcing the evacuation of the motel and its attached restaurant. The business sustained $38,000 in damages from the blaze.

There were no injuries during the fire.

Irby, a 20-year-old from Bastrop, La., ultimately pleaded guilty to felony vandalism. First District Judge Steve Verby sentenced Irby in 2010 to up to four years in prison.

Under the terms of the sentence, Irby was ordered to serve at least 18 months in prison before becoming eligible for parole.

Irby appealed on grounds that Verby imposed an unduly harsh sentence, but the appellate court reviewed the record and found Verby did not abuse his discretion, according to an unpublished opinion released on Monday.

Irby had a history of starting arson fires, including one at his own home, court documents indicate.

Irby is imprisoned at the Idaho State Correctional Institution in Kuna, according to the Idaho Department of Correction.

He became eligible for parole last April and his last parole activity occurred last month, the department’s website said.

Irby’s sentence satisfaction date is October 2013.