AUGUSTA, Maine — The man convicted of setting fire to a topless coffee shop in Vassalboro was sentenced Thursday to the maximum sentence of 30 years.
Raymond Bellavance Jr., 51, of Augusta was convicted Dec. 30, 2011, of class A arson for setting fire to the Grand View Topless Coffee Shop on June 3, 2009. At the time, seven people, including two infants, were asleep in the building — a former motel — that housed the coffee shop. Everyone escaped without injury.
During the trial, acting Kennebec County Deputy District Attorney Alan Kelley said Bellavance started the fire because he did not like that his then-girlfriend, Krista MacIntyre, was a waitress at the coffee shop and had a sexual relationship with the owner, Donald Crabtree.
Justice Michaela Murphy said during the hearing in Kennebec County Superior Court on Thursday that she imposed the maximum sentence without any time suspended because it was “sheer luck” that the arson didn’t lead to a multiple homicide case.
Bellavance “recklessly endangered a number of persons inside the dwelling and a large number of fire personnel,” said Murphy.
Among the reasons Murphy cited for issuing the maximum sentence were that the fire was set after midnight, that 10 gallons of gasoline were used as an accelerant, and the fact that Bellavance should have or did, know people were living in the building at the time.
“This was a serious, dramatic … fire,” Murphy said. “It was set in a time and manner that would maximize damage.”
Murphy also cited Bellavance’s extensive criminal history and his record of violating court orders among her reasons for the lengthy sentence.
Kelley said Bellavance had seven prior convictions for assault, the first in 1982.
Bellavance’s attorney, Andrews Campbell, said the sentence was “very harsh” and he plans to appeal.
“That’s a harsher sentence than in cases of murder sometimes,” said Campbell outside the courtroom. “No person was injured in the fire.”
Kelley said he was pleased with Justice Murphy’s decision.
“In our estimation, 30 years was the appropriate sentence,” said Kelley outside of court. “I think the real question of this case was whether any of it would be suspended [or Bellavance would be given] the full 30 years.
“Certainly we agree with Justice Murphy that this is a case where, probation is a good thing for many people, but Raymond Bellavance has repeatedly failed on probation, ignored court orders, repeatedly shown that he has no respect for the court. The only way you can keep society safe is to give him the full 30-year sentence,” Kelley continued.
Bellavance also was ordered to pay $16,635 in restitution to the Augusta, Vassalboro and Chelsea fire departments. Kelley said Crabtree, who was not present in court, didn’t ask for restitution for his destroyed building.
Crabtree estimated it would cost around $750,000 to replace what was destroyed by the arson that night.
The property owner also told the Bangor Daily News that the wrong man may be going to prison.
“I’m not convinced that Mr. Bellavance is the one who set the fire,” Crabtree said in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon.
Crabtree said he planned on reading a letter he wrote during the sentencing hearing, but changed his mind.
“I was supposed to go to court and read that, but I just get so mad,” said Crabtree. “I think it could’ve been investigated a little better. [The trial and investigation] was an awful experience. I don’t wish that upon anybody.”
Crabtree said Bellavance confronted him at the coffee shop on March 9, 2009, about his relationship with MacIntyre. The police were called, he said, but Bellavance left after shaking hands with Crabtree.
“And he never bothered me again,” said Crabtree. “I saw him in town, saw him at bars. Why would he come back [three months] later? Ray’s a fighter. If he had a problem, he would’ve said something else within three months.”
Crabtree had met with the Vassalboro planning board on the night of June 2, 2009, to discuss expanding his hours of operation and whether his existing permit would allow his topless waitresses to dance to music.
“Three hours after that meeting she’s on fire,” said Crabtree. “I believe it was somebody in that town that did it.”
Campbell said that because of the long sentence, Bellavance would never get the opportunity to pay restitution. Members of Bellavance’s family and two officials from the Kennebec County Jail testified on Bellavance’s behalf during Thursday’s sentencing hearing.
“I’ve known Ray for a long time,” said his uncle Tony Bellavance. “He’s a hard worker and I don’t think he should go away for a long time.”
Kennebec County Jail Director of Education Thomas Reuwer said Bellavance can be helped.
He would “primarily study law books” when he was at the jail, said Reuwer. “There’s plenty of potential there worth exploring.”
Bellavance, who has maintained his innocence, did not speak on his own behalf before sentencing.
Campbell said he plans to appeal because the case revolved around mostly indirect evidence and the testimony of Thomas Mulkern, who has a criminal history of his own. The defense attorney said he thought the jury’s decision was rushed.
“The jury had to be home by New Year’s Eve and gave a verdict of guilty and didn’t want to hang around past New Year’s Eve,” said Campbell.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Jury… GOOD CALL!!
30 years is a good sentence, but all too often child molesters and other criminals get short sentences with most of them suspended.
Had Mr. Bellavance Senior “spoken to” his son earlier in his life-perhaps he would not have had to been speaking on his behalf now.
Don’t worry Bub, I betcha they have jiggly night in Warren.
I feel like the story is glazing over some of the important issues, they are sprinkling in some good points.
Not saying he doesn’t deserve it, but let’s give out these big sentences to the child molesters too.
I concur.
I agree, hopefully to the murderer of his 2 1/2 month old
That is the first thing that crossed my mind when reading the headline to this article. Where are the long sentences for the pedophiles, the murderers, and the wife abusers? I do not in any way condone what this man did. Someone could have died from it and the guy acts like a jerk in court and to the media, but shouldnt we also see these types of sentences for someone that kills their child ie. Anziani, the kid from up north tried as an adult, as well as many instance of sexual assault on a minor…I wish someone from the court system would explain to all of us how they come up with these sentences when the punishment never seems to fit the crime.
From what I understand there were people in that building,
Yes there were and if it weren’t for a passing Ambulance crew he would likely have been facing murder chargers too.
I’M SHOCKED!!!! You mean there’s a judge in Maine that will give out a maximum sentence?
Judge Murphy is the best there is.
I will be most anxious to see if the fool that just murdered his tiny baby gets a sentence anywhere close to this one—Odds are against it!
I agee, the guy that murdered a 2 year old in Machias a few years ago only got 7 years. The system doesn’t value children very highly.
Never mind a sentence – we all know what should be done behind the shed for him ( I have an extra club if you need it)…I don’t even want to waste yours or my taxdollars on those type of people. You break the law, and to me, no sentence is too harsh. If he gets out in 10 years (all else suspended) and lights someone else’s place on fire and kills them, then everyone will complain it wasn’t enough.
too harsh considering what molesters and Turn Pike athority directors get for stealing hundreds of thousands and yet collect $5000 a month in pension…
Gentle the reason the judge handed down the sentence they did was because there were four people inside the building sleeping. The only reason he isn’t facing murder chargers is for the lucky passing of an ambulance crew that noticed the fire. Two of the four inside the building were children.
I completely agree with you JD, but had one of them perished, you would think he would have gotten life..at least that is what i would hope for.
This is a little much, might as well of gave him life! Although the family in the building could of died, but they didnt. I have to say the sentence is too long!
who is going to pay to keep this guy in prison for thirty years .When in prison you get the idea its wrong in 15 years just as well as thirty.I would rather see a child pedophile go then a fire bug .The reason why is not safety but the insurance company’s wrote the rules and own the judges .Ive seen Maine judges give seven years for murder and 30 setting a fire when the facts of the case say no one got hurt .
David there was no insurance on the building so no insurance involvement at all.
The reason the sentence was the max was the FOUR people sleeping inside the building when the fire was set. If it hadn’t been for a passing ambulance crew there would have been four bodies, including two children dug out of the rubble. That is why the sentence was so “harsh”.
you might feel different if it were YOUR family.
I find it a little intriguing that the OWNER of the burned-down place doesn’t think the convicted guy did it…
Arson , when there are occupants known or presumed to be inside the building,may be considered as attempted murder. The sentence is appropriate.
Lets see, we have a murder suspect at large with the Ayla Reynolds case, and for some reason we can’t gather evidence to make a prosecution. But, the court system has the nerve to sentence this man, who may be innocent, as the victim said. Oh wait, not only was he sentenced, it was for 30 years. Something doesn’t add up here…
Nate since you know so much about the investigative process why don’t you volunteer your time for the MSP and make the arrest for them….who are you going to arrest by the way?
Good job, Alan Kelley, acting Kennebec DA. He knows how to put criminals away.
And this crime was commited because of a women, I’m not saying it was a women fault, I’m saying he did it because of his girlfriend or ex.
30 years.
Finally, an appropriate sentence that fits this crime. You don’t see that very often.
WHAT????????????? thats an overkill….or am I missing the MEMO that he KILLED someone? This Is CRAZY!!! And No Im Not Related… Im just using COMMON SENSE, that the Judge Forgot When He Went To Court Tis Morning….
But for the fact of a passing ambulance crew there would likely have been four bodies in the rubble of the torched building. The sentence was appropriate for not only the arson but the reckless conduct of torching the building with people inside asleep.
I almost got hit by a car too…do you arrest the driver and give him 30 years?? he started a fire didn’t kill anyone, woudda, shoudda, cudda… ?????
Not even remotely the same thing.
He intentionally started a fire that destroyed a business (doesn’t matter if you agree with the business or not) at night well after the time anyone would still be up. He INTENTIONALLY started the fire and that is the difference.
Did the person driving the car INTENTIONALLY attempt to hit you? If they did a case could be made for aggravated assault. If he hit you a case could be made for elevated aggravated assault. But if there was no INTENT to hit you…
It is almost laughable that people scream and carry on that the judges in Maine are to lenient on convicted criminals and when a judge actually hands down a sentence that means something people scream and cry that it is too harsh. People make up your minds!!
I think this is kind of ignorant! People that abuse their children murder someone and child molesters get less time than this! I have seen soo many cases of parents abusing their children/ people molesting children and only get about 6 months when they should be the ones getting 30 + years! Messed up! The ones that really should be locked up, get out in no time!
I think that this is just kind of ingnorant! People who abuse their children/ molest children and even drug dealers get less time than this! It is just sad that people can get away with the most rotten crimes of all time more than doing something like this guy did! Messed up if you ask me…
Thirty years. That’s a long time.
Yes it is…he will have a long time to think about it and gice thanks daily he didn’t kill the four people (including the two children) asleep in the building when he torched it.
I always thought the timing of the fire was suspicious. I confess, I didn’t follow the news on this much after the fact. But when news of the fire came within hours of the owner seeking to expand to topless dancers and longer hours, I figured some town person had taken matter into his or her own hands. I still do wonder.
I always thought the timing of the fire was suspicious. I confess I have not followed the case since the arrest. But when news of the fire came within hours of the owner seeking permission to expand to topless dancers and longer hours I thought perhaps someone had taken matters into his or her own hands. I still do wonder.
Bye bye fire-bug!
A record of seven prior convictions on assault charges didn’t help. Non-cooperation toward the law – ignoring court orders and probation, is not tolerated. But using ten gallons of gasoline to torch the building, while having full knowledge that adults and children occupied the structure, makes it sound more like an attempted murder.
Let’s face it – they barely escaped. Can’t allow them to be put in harm’s way again.