Man Sentenced to Prison for Arson in Grand Canyon National Park

Dahntay Dunbar, a 21-year-old Flagstaff resident, was sentenced last week to nearly two years in prison for setting fire to a cabin in the Grand Canyon National Park where his ex-girlfriend was staying. The fire caused more than $40,000 in damage.

Dahntay Dunbar, a 21-year-old Flagstaff resident, was sentenced last week to nearly two years in prison for setting fire to a cabin in the Grand Canyon National Park where his ex-girlfriend was staying.

Man Sentenced to Prison for Arson in Grand Canyon National Park

According to the Department of Justice, Dunbar broke into the locked cabin in May and set a fire inside. He found a bottle of clear liquor and dumped it on a bed before igniting a shirt belonging to his former girlfriend. She was not in the cabin at the time.

The fire caused scorching, burn damage, and smoke damage to the walls, ceiling, and other parts of the cabin.

Man Sentenced to Prison for Arson in Grand Canyon National Park

A bystander saw the blaze and extinguished most of the flames before firefighters arrived on the scene.

The cabin was owned by the resort company Xanterra. The blaze caused more than $40,000 in damage.

Dunbar was arrested by park rangers a short time later. On July 8, he pleaded guilty to arson of a dwelling.

Days before the fire, Dunbar got into a dispute with the unnamed woman and punched through one of the windows.

In addition to a prison sentence, Dunbar was ordered to pay $20,146.13 in restitution and is subject to five years of supervised release after he serves his time.

The case is a reminder that national parks are not immune to crime. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to park rangers.

* Dunbar had been arrested for domestic violence in the past.

* He was on probation at the time of the fire.

* He has a history of mental illness.

* The judge who sentenced Dunbar said that he was "a danger to others."

"This is a senseless act of vandalism that has damaged one of our most precious natural treasures," said Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent Chris Lehnertz. "We will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and we will prosecute those who commit crimes in the park to the fullest extent of the law."

"This case is a reminder that we must all do our part to protect our national parks," said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona, Audrey Haugen. "We will not hesitate to prosecute those who damage or destroy our public lands."