Woman charged with arson pleads guilty to reduced charge

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

A Charles City woman accused of setting another person’s car on fire and who was charged with arson has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge and was sentenced in Floyd County District Court.

Wena Monique James, age 39, had allegedly started a 2009 Chevy Traverse SUV on fire on Nov. 4 “with the intent to damage or destroy the vehicle,” according to records filed in Floyd County District Court.

She was charged with second-degree arson, a Class C felony.

On Monday, James entered a written plea of guilty to arson in the third degree, an aggravated misdemeanor.

As part of the plea agreement, the Floyd County Attorney’s Office moved to reduce the charge and recommended a sentence of two years in prison, fully suspended; two years probation; restitution for damages; an $855 fine plus 15% surcharge, fully suspended; mental health evaluation and substance abuse evaluation and an order to follow any recommended treatments.

Restitution requested was $1,500.

In an order filed in Floyd County District Court July 20, Judge Christopher Foy granted the motion to change the charge to the aggravated misdemeanor and followed the sentencing recommendation.