Arson sentencing in Charleroi

Developing StoryLast updated APR 18
SUMMARY

A Charleroi man was sentenced to 18 to 36 months in prison on April 18, 2026, for setting fire to a vacant home in Charleroi, and was also ordered to pay restitution for damages. As of April 18, 2026, multiple arson-related sentences have been handed down in the Charleroi area, including a man sentenced to nearly two years for a Rostraver store arson on April 16, 2026, and another Charleroi man sentenced to jail on March 26, 2026, for deliberately torching his sister's garage. Previously, on January 22, 2026, Christopher Demetrious Grasty pleaded guilty to arson and received a 3 to 6-year jail sentence for a 2024 fire at California Manor that caused $750,000 in damages and displaced 29 residents. Robert Donald Megela III was sentenced on March 31, 2005, to three to six years in jail after pleading guilty to five counts of felony arson and five counts of criminal mischief, following his confession on March 2, 2004, to setting 12 fires in the Charleroi area over four months.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 3 developments

  1. A Charleroi man received a sentence of 18 to 36 months in prison for setting fire to a vacant home.

    A Charleroi man received a sentence of 18 to 36 months in prison for setting fire to a vacant home. He was also ordered to pay restitution for the damages caused by the arson.

  2. A Charleroi man was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for an arson at a Rostraver store.

    A Charleroi man was sentenced to nearly two years in prison for an arson at a Rostraver store. The sentencing occurred on March 22, 2016.

  3. A man was found deceased following a fire in Charleroi.

    A man was found deceased following a fire in Charleroi. The circumstances surrounding the fire and the individual's death are under investigation.

March 2026 — 1 developments

  1. A Charleroi man has been sentenced to jail for deliberately torching his sister's garage.

    A Charleroi man has been sentenced to jail for deliberately torching his sister's garage. The specific details of the sentencing and the exact date were not immediately available.

January 2026 — 3 developments

  1. An expert determined the fire in the sister's garage was deliberate, originating from sheets on a sofa bed where the accused had been sleeping.

    An expert determined the fire in the sister's garage was deliberate, originating from sheets on a sofa bed where the accused had been sleeping.

  2. Christopher Demetrious Grasty pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in jail for …

    Christopher Demetrious Grasty pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to 3 to 6 years in jail for setting fire to California Manor in 2024, which caused $750,000 in damages and displaced 29 residents.

  3. Prosecutors in Charleroi have requested an eight-year prison sentence for a man who admitted to deliberately setting fire to his sister's garage on October 9th of last year.

    Prosecutors in Charleroi have requested an eight-year prison sentence for a man who admitted to deliberately setting fire to his sister's garage on October 9th of last year. This appears to be a new, separate incident or a significant correction to the previously reported case of Robert Donald Megela III.

March 2005 — 1 developments

  1. Megela appeared before Judge Paul Pozonsky in Washington County Court and was sentenced to serve thr…

    Megela appeared before Judge Paul Pozonsky in Washington County Court and was sentenced to serve three to six years in jail after pleading guilty to five counts of felony arson and five counts of criminal mischief. He was also ordered to undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations and pay restitution.

March 2004 — 3 developments

  1. Megela's preliminary hearing took place, where State police Fire Marshal Steve Thompson testified about the surveillance operation.

    Megela's preliminary hearing took place, where State police Fire Marshal Steve Thompson testified about the surveillance operation.

  2. Robert Megela III, 23, has confessed to setting 12 fires in the Charleroi area over a four-month period.

    Robert Megela III, 23, has confessed to setting 12 fires in the Charleroi area over a four-month period. He was apprehended by police while in the process of setting fire to a garage. Megela faces multiple charges, including arson and risking a catastrophe.

  3. Robert Donald Megela III was arrested by state police following an investigation that included surveillance in several areas of Charleroi.

    Robert Donald Megela III was arrested by state police following an investigation that included surveillance in several areas of Charleroi.

January 2004 — 2 developments

  1. Another garage, located at 216 Washington Ave.

    Another garage, located at 216 Washington Ave., was set on fire.

  2. Four separate fires were set at 312 Second St.

    Four separate fires were set at 312 Second St., resulting in a garage being gutted.

December 2003 — 3 developments

  1. A bag of clothes and a Christmas tree were set on fire at 114 Lincoln Ave.

    A bag of clothes and a Christmas tree were set on fire at 114 Lincoln Ave.

  2. Megela set multiple fires, including a wreath on a front door at 112 Lincoln Ave.

    Megela set multiple fires, including a wreath on a front door at 112 Lincoln Ave., three mechanical deer and a plastic Christmas tree at 237 McKean Ave., and a plastic flowerpot at 315 Second St.

  3. The first of a series of arsons attributed to Robert Donald Megela III occurred, involving a hay bale set on fire on a front porch at 308 Washington Ave.

    The first of a series of arsons attributed to Robert Donald Megela III occurred, involving a hay bale set on fire on a front porch at 308 Washington Ave., causing significant damage.