Methodist Church Treasurer Pleads to Arson, Child Endangerment and Embezzlement

A 31-year-old Martinsburg man accused of setting fire to his own rental home while his family slept inside in an attempt to collect on an insurance policy accepted a plea agreement Monday.

Darren Butler, formerly of South Raleigh Street, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree arson and five counts of felony child neglect creating a substantial risk of bodily injury. He also pleaded no contest to one count of embezzlement in connection to an unrelated case in which he was accused of stealing $4,059 from Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Martinsburg while serving as church treasurer in 2008.

The July 1, 2008, fire happened at Butler's rental home at 703 S. Raleigh St. in Martinsburg.

Butler's three children, stepchild, niece and former wife were sleeping inside the home at the time of the fire.