State recommends life sentences for church arsonists

Two men charged with burning East Texas churches earlier this year face a possible life sentence after pleading guilty Wednesday.

Jason Bourque, 20-year-old former University student, pleaded guilty to five counts of arson and two counts of attempted arson.

District Attorney Matt Bingham recommended Bourque pay restitution and serve the maximum sentence of life in prison for five arson charges.

If the court agrees to the recommendations, Bourque must serve the five life sentences and two 20-year sentences concurrently before serving the third 20-year sentence.

Daniel McAllister, 22, pleaded guilty to two counts of arson and two counts of attempted arson.

Bingham recommended McAllister also pay restitution and serve the maximum sentence of life in prison for each arson charge and 20-years for the attempted arson charges, which he must serve concurrently.

In the agreement, the prosecution dropped the deadly weapon charges, which means they could be eligible for parole sooner.

Judge Christi Kennedy scheduled the official sentencing for 8:30 a.m. for Bourque and 9:30 a.m. for McAllister on Jan. 10 at in the 114th District Court.
If the court agrees to the recommendation or sets a shorter sentence, the defendants will have limited right to appeal, Kennedy said.

The maximum sentence for each arson count is life in prison and a minimum sentence of 5 years in prison.

The maximum sentence for each attempted arson count is 20 years in prison and a minimum of two years in prison.

Bourque and McAllister committed all of the arsons in February and January of 2010.

Bourque pleaded guilty to the following charges:

Arson - Jan.16 Tyland Baptist Church located at 2818 Silver Creek Drive in Tyler
Arson - Jan.17 1st Church of Christ Scientist located at 106 East Second Street in Tyler
Arson - Jan.20 Fellowship of Prairie Creek Church located at 2401 South Main Street in Lindale
Arson - Feb.8 Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church located at 14914 CR 426 in Lindale
Arson - Feb.8 Dover Baptist Church located at 21166 FM 1995 in Tyler
Attempted arson - Feb. 7 Heritage Baptist Church located at 7720 S. Broadway in Tyler
Attempted arson - Feb.8 Pinebrook Baptist Church located at 3606 Van Highway in Tyler
Attempted arson - Feb.8 Clearview Baptist Church located at 13933 State Highway 110 North.

McAllister pleaded guilty to the following charges:

Arson - Feb.8 Dover Baptist Church
Arson - Feb.8 Clear Spring Missionary Baptist Church
Attempted arson - Feb. 8 Clearview Baptist Church
Attempted arson - Feb.8 Pinebrook Baptist Church.

Police arrested the two men in February after an extensive investigation. Officials with the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms and Explosives Dallas Bureau said DNA evidence helped link the two suspects.