Man who started fire ‘to save hostages’ failed to show up to sentencing
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IDAHO FALLS — The man who told police he started a fire to get a hostage out of a home on Hoopes Avenue in August failed to show up at his sentencing Thursday morning.
Eric Bagge, 41, pleaded guilty in October to first-degree arson and was scheduled to be sentenced by District Judge Joel E. Tingey on Thursday.
Bagge ignited the bushes, and the fire spread to a duplex with four adults and one child inside.
Those in the building got out safely, and damages were estimated at $10,000.
Bagge later called the police and admitting to setting the fire because a hostage was allegedly inside.
Police say there was no hostage situation, and Bagge was arrested.
Officers searched Bagge and found multiple knives, lighters and drug paraphernalia. He was ultimately released to pretrial services.
Defense Attorney Curtis Reed Smith said in court Thursday that he thought Bagge had planned to attend Thursday’s sentencing, especially since he completed a presentencing report.
Bagge was living in a field in the coldest part of the winter but eventually made living arrangements in Pocatello, Curtis said. He said Bagge had been in contact with him, and he possibly could have had trouble finding travel from Pocatello to Idaho Falls for his sentencing.
Tingey said a warrant has already been issued for Bagge failing to comply to pretrial services, and Tingey wouldn’t issue another warrant for failing to appear.
Bagge will be sentenced once he is brought back into custody, Tingey said.