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Brockton Man Sent to State Prison for Arson Fire at Church



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Contact:  Beth Stone- (508) 584-8120

BROCKTON – A Brockton man was sentenced to State Prison after pleading guilty to
intentionally starting a fire that caused damage to a Brockton church, Plymouth County District
Attorney Timothy J. Cruz announced today.

Late Friday, Kevin M. Gannon (DOB: 10-01-60) of Brockton, pleaded guilty to one
count each of Arson of a Building and Burning of Property. Brockton Superior Court Judge C.J.
Moriarty, sentenced Gannon to serve three to four years in State Prison to be followed by five
years of probation. Gannon was acquitted of a witness intimidation charge involved with the
same case at a trial also held Friday.

On May 29, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., Brockton Police and Fire Departments responded to the
Central United Methodist Church at 65 West Elm Street in Brockton for a report of a dumpster
fire. The fire engulfed a trash enclosure and spread to a tree which scorched the side of the
church and melted a plexi-glass window in the church.

Brockton Fire conducted an arson investigation and several witnesses reported that they
observed Gannon standing in the area of the trash enclosure prior to it catching fire and engulfing
in flames. Investigators also located surveillance video that showed Gannon in the area at the
time of the fire.

Gannon was arrested by Brockton Police nearby the scene shortly after police and fire
responded. He was indicted on the charges July 31, 2015.

Gannon’s guilty plea makes him eligible as a habitual offender because he was convicted
of this crime and has been previously convicted and sentenced to state prison.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Jason Thomas and was
investigated by Brockton Police and Brockton Fire.

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September 26, 2016