Terrell Adams

The Fort Dodge man who admitted to intentionally setting fire to a vehicle in the parking garage of Iowa Central Community College in September was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison, according to the Webster County attorney’s office.

Terrell Adams, 22, pled guilty to second-degree arson, a class C felony and second-degree criminal mischief, a class D felony.

At the hearing, Adams admitted he intentionally set fire to the vehicle of an acquaintance that was parked in the garage. That fire led to the damage of about 12 cars and structural damage due to the heat.

Adams was sentenced in Webster County District Court by District Court Judge Thomas Bice.

Adams was sentenced for a total of 15 years; 10 for the arson charge and 5 for the criminal mischief charge.

Bice said that Adams’ actions “created an extreme risk to human life and property which warranted the maximum period of incarceration.”

Bice added that Adams endangered the lives of students and faculty of Iowa Central as well as the first responder that provided emergency assistance.

Adams is to remain in the custody of the Webster County Sheriff’s Department pending transport to prison.

The case was investigated by the Fort Dodge Police Department, Fort Dodge Fire Department, and the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s office. It was prosecuted by Webster County Attorney Darren Driscoll and First Assistant Webster County Attorney Ryan Baldridge.