The owner of the Jefferson Pizza Ranch that burned down earlier this year was sentenced in Greene County District Court Tuesday.

Fifty-three year-old Robert Wayne Schultz Jr. pled guilty to the amended charges of a Class D Felony for second degree criminal mischief and an aggravated misdemeanor for third degree arson. Judge William Oslund agreed with the alford plea deal that both the prosecuting attorney, Greene County Attorney Nick Martino, and the defense attorney Robert Owens presented.

Oslund asked Martino why the original charge of a felony for first degree arson was changed and Martino said he wished the State had items of information that they did not, but he thought there was enough evidence to impose the new charges in the plea agreement. He also thought it was in the best interest of the State to go ahead with the plea agreement instead of risking an outcome in a jury trial.

As per the plea agreement, Oslund suspended the seven year prison sentences and sentenced Schultz to a total of three years of probation. Schultz was also ordered to pay fines, surcharges and court costs. Victim restitution will be addressed at a later date.

Schultz was originally charged with a Class B Felony for first degree arson, a Class C Felony for first degree criminal mischief and a Class D Felony for insurance fraud. The Pizza Ranch burned down just after midnight on January 27th.

Oslund said he agreed that Martino was making a fair plea agreement and he hopes Schultz can rehabilitate himself so he never has to be in a courtroom again.