Fayette County man with convictions for starting two Decorah fires now sentenced on charges involving threats to his ex-girlfriend

In 2002, Fayette County resident Shawn Gant, then 29 years old, was convicted of second-degree arson for starting a fire in the APAC building in Decorah, where he worked as a janitor.  Also that year he was convicted of arson for starting a fire in an occupied apartment building in Decorah.

KCRG-TV reports that Gant also told police at the time that he set fire to two of his cars, a mobile home and a beanbag chair.  While on probation for the 2002 arson convictions, he was charged and convicted in 2004 of reckless use of fire for setting a fire at his apartment building.

Gant, now 38 years old, was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for threatening to burn down or blow up a building where his ex-girlfriend and her new boyfriend lived.

Fayette County police say Gant sent a series of threatening text messages on June 8th and 9th of last year, including "Revenge will be sweet," "(boyfriend) will burn," "There will b a fire in indee 2nite."

U.S. District Chief Judge Linda Reade said in the sentencing memorandum Gant is a "violent person who has an apparent proclivity to set fires."

Gant is currently serving a three year prison sentence on domestic abuse assault and on third offense public intoxication.  The 10 year federal sentence will be added on to the end of the other sentences.