TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) — A former wildlands firefighter accused of arson is due in court this week in Cherokee County.
Mike Adam Malenski faces 41 felony counts of third-degree arson, 15 felony counts of fourth-degree arson and 56 counts of endangering the life of others during the commission of arson.
The Tahlequah Daily Press reports that Malenski is due in court Wednesday to discuss a possible plea deal with prosecutors. He previously pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Malenski is accused of setting fires in the Cherokee Wildlife Management Area while working as a firefighter for the Oklahoma Forestry Services.
Fires burned about 10,000 acres in the wildlife area in 2010 and 2011.
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Information from: Tahlequah Daily Press, http://www.tahlequahdaailypress.com
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.