SUFFOLK COUNTY---The Mastic man arrested last year for planning to burn down a local house that served as a residence for registered sex offenders has been sentenced to seven years in prison.

Donald Keegan, 36, pleaded guilty to second degree attempted arson. He was also sentenced to three to nine years for second degree conspiracy and will be subject to five years post release supervision.

Keegan has been employed by Suffolk County and was a part-time landscaper. He lived less than a mile from the residence. Investigators had recorded his plans to burn down the house on surveillance cameras. He had paint thinner and a road flare on the front seat of his car when he was arrested.

An undercover investigation by the district attorney's office resulted in Keegan's arrest last September. The residents of the home at 115 Eleanor Avenue were risk-level three sex offenders, the highest designation under Megan's Law, described as "most likely to re-offend".

Their controversial presence in the neighborhood spurred community leaders and area residents to protest the placement of what they charged was "an inordinate number" of sex offenders in their community. Shortly after Keegan's arrest, state officials ordered the eviction of the residents of 115 Eleanor after establishing the residence was located near a school. 4-24-07

© 2007 North Country Gazette