RISON - Two of the three people charged with the arson, burglary and theft of property of a Rison convenience store recently entered plea deals with one defendant receiving 25 years in prison and the other probation.Heidi Cash, 47, and Kristal Kirkpatrick, 43, both of Rison, along with Justin Wright, 38, of Warren, were arrested last June by the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Department. All three were charged with three felony counts related to the June 11,2023, burglary and subsequent fire that destroyed the Rison One Stop convenience store on Magnolia Street (Hwy. 35) in Rison.All three were charged with arson for damages between $15,000 and $100,000 (Class A felony), commercial burglary (Class C felony), and theft of property valued between $5,000 and $25,000 (Class C felony). The Class A felony carries a penalty of six to 30 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $15,000. The Class C felonies carry a penalty of three to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.Wright pleaded guilty to all three counts against him and received 25 years in prison.According to the sentencing order filed by 13th Judicial District Deputy Prosecutor Greg Thomas, Wright entered a plea on April 9, 2024, agreeing to a total of 25 years in prison: 10 years for the arson charge, 10 years for the commercial burglary charge, and five years for the theft of property. The sentences are to be served consecutively.In addition, Wright was also ordered to pay court costs and fees totaling $471.Meanwhile, Cash reached a plea deal on May 21 with 13th Judicial District Deputy Prosecutor Margaret Wynne to have the arson charge nolle prossed (not be prosecuted), while pleading guilty to reduced charges of conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and conspiracy to commit theft of property. The plea agreement also stated that she provided “truthful testimony against co-defendants.”According to the sentencing order filed this past Friday, Cash r...
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