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Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Back issues
Courthouse News Service Courthouse News Service

Pet Shop Arsonist|Gets Years in Prison

LAS VEGAS (CN) - Former pet store owner Gloria Lee will serve 5 to 14 years in state prison for trying to burn down her pet shop with 25 puppies and two older dogs inside.

Surveillance video showed Lee's then-boyfriend, Kirk Bills, splashing gasoline around the store and the dog cages while Lee did paperwork, on Jan. 27, 2014.

The pet store's sprinklers put out the fire, saving the dogs' lives.

Lee pleaded guilty in October to attempted animal cruelty, insurance fraud and arson.

She and Bills originally were charged with 27 counts of animal cruelty, burglary and arson.

Bills pleaded guilty to arson and attempted animal cruelty. He faces up to 15 years in prison at his March 2 sentencing.

During her sentencing hearing Wednesday in Clark County Court, Lee said she is three months pregnant and asked for leniency.

That plea did not impress the prosecutor or the judge.

Judge David Barker accused Lee of "manipulating" the court process, and prosecutor Shannon Clowers called Lee's plea a "misuse of her reproductive system."

Lee's attorney, Ozzi Fumo, said media coverage contributed to his client's stiff sentence.

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