A Freeland man has been sentenced to 10 years in jail in a million dollar arson case.

Roberto Toner appeared in court by video to plead guilty to two counts of arson- endangering persons, days ahead of his scheduled trial on a case from Aug. 16, 2016.

On that day, the Weatherly Police Department was dispatched to a fully-involved fire at 234 Third St. in the borough.

The fire in the vacant home spread to the surrounding homes, endangering two families.

Three residents were outside the home and informed police that they heard people in the house right before they hear the glass break.

The fire spread to a nearby house where two residents and their child were sleeping. They were able to get out of the house.

The fire resulted in $1 million in damages.

The case was investigated by the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms bureau, the state police fire marshal, Scranton Police K-9 unit and the Carbon County District’s Attorney office. The case was ruled an arson.

In January 2019, arson charges were filed against Toner and others. Charges of criminal attempt, criminal solicitation, criminal conspiracy, 6 counts of arson/endangering people, insurance fraud and risking catastrophe, were filed. Toner was already in Lackawanna County prison on firearms and explosive charges.

He is awaiting a jury trial on homicide charges in Luzerne County.

Also assisting in the investigation were the Butler Township Police Department, Hazleton police department, state police, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Luzerne County District Attorney’s office and the Carbon County District Attorney’s office.

Another defendant in the case, David Alzugaray-Lugones, 51, pleaded guilty in 2021 and was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve 24 to 48 months in a state correctional institution.

Alzugaray-Lugones previously pleaded to one count of arson-danger of death or

bodily injury, a felony.

Felix Larrinaga Sanchez, 45, testified in district court on Wednesday that he and other defendants doused the vacant home in gasoline and ignited it in the early hours of Aug. 6, 2016.

They said Roberto Torner was the mastermind.

According to police records, Torner owned the vacant home through a corporation with Liza Robles. Police said Torner collected $245,000 in an insurance payout from the blaze.