
A former Marine who pleaded no contest to starting a string of fires in the North Hollywood area was sentenced Thursday to 10 years to life in state prison.
Kurt Kaye Billie, 36, pleaded no contest March 5 to two counts of arson of an inhabited structure and one count of aggravated arson, admitting that he set 21 fires to vehicles and motor homes between July 21-Aug. 2, 2011.
The remaining 18 counts against him were dismissed as a result of his plea.
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Billie also admitted that he had been convicted of arson in Okinawa, Japan, when he was stationed there in 2001, Deputy District Attorney Sean Carney said.
The defendant was sentenced by Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic.
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