Area couple sentenced for setting fire to home

April 12--INDEPENDENCE -- A former Independence couple who accepted insurance money and community donations after fire damaged their home in 2014 has been sentenced on arson charges.

Brandon Wayne Dorsey, 32, currently of Waterloo, was sentenced to up to 10 years in prison Tuesday after pleading guilty to second-degree arson as part of a plea agreement that dismissed fraud charges.

Part of the agreement includes a "shock sentence," which will allow him to request reconsideration after 30 days behind bars, which could suspend the remaining time in favor of probation.

During the hearing, Brandon Dorsey asked the court to grant him a few weeks before his sentence begins so he can save up funds for his family -- which includes six children -- before going to prison.

"I would just ask for the weeks to make sure my family can survive without me in the home," said Dorsey, who had been working two jobs.

Judge David Odekirk denied the request.

His wife, Jessi Dorsey, 28, who also pleaded guilty to arson charges, was granted two to five years of supervised probation.

The differences in the punishment reflect the husband's greater involvement in the crime and the fact he didn't take responsibility, said Buchanan County Attorney Shawn Harden.

"That is relative to Mr. Dorsey's criminal history ... and his being more of an active participant in the underlying crime and also given Mr. Dorsey's lack of taking much, if any, responsibility for his actions," Harden said.

When interviewed by corrections officials following his plea in December, Brandon Dorsey allegedly claimed he was innocent, that there was no evidence against him and that he pleaded guilty only because he couldn't afford an attorney, Harden said. Brandon Dorsey was provided with an attorney at public expense.

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The two were ordered to pay more than $42,065 in restitution.

"That includes numerous donations that were given to Mr. and Mrs. Dorsey as well as payments from their insurance company for temporary living expenses, loss of contents that they paid the Dorseys and for their expense payments. It does not include the value of the structure itself," Harden said.

Fire damaged the Dorsey home on Eighth Avenue Northeast on Sept. 22, 2014, and after the blaze, the family received donations and assistance from school fundraisers, churches and businesses. The American Red Cross assisted, and a fund was set up at a local bank.

In June 2016, the couple was arrested after investigators alleged the fire was intentionally set.

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