Ex-Compton Fire Official Sentenced For Theft

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A former Southern California fire battalion chief is going to prison for stealing more than $300,000 of equipment and setting a fire to cover up the theft.

Prosecutors say Marcel Melanson was sentenced Monday to three years and four months in prison. He also must pay more than a half-million dollars in fines and restitution.

Authorities say Melanson stole nearly 100 city-owned radios and sold some on eBay while he was a battalion chief in the city of Compton.

He also was charged with setting fire to some equipment in 2011 in a failed attempt to hide the theft.

He pleaded no contest in April to arson and embezzlement.

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