Elizabeth Zavala
San Antonio Express-News (TNS}
Jul. 19—A 6-year-old arson case involving a blaze at a far West Side gym that took the life of a San Antonio firefighter Scott Deem ended Wednesday with a plea deal that brought a 30-year prison term.
Emond Johnson, 45, was sentenced by state District Judge Kristina Escalona after pleading no contest to murder and to arson resulting in serious bodily injury or death, both first-degree felonies that carry a maximum penalty of life in prison.
Johnson has faced those charge since he was 39, when he was arrested and accused of intentionally setting the fire in a shopping center in 2017.
The courtroom was packed with firefighters. Holding back tears, San Antonio Fire Department Chief Charles Hood thanked them for being there to remember their "brother, Scott Deem," and firefighters Brad Phipps and Robert Vasquez, who were injured.
"I forgive you," Hood told Johnson, his voice breaking. "And it's been so hard. I have to forgive you to free myself of this anger (because) every time I see you, I want to jump over this rail."
Johnson looked serious and pained throughout the victim impact statements, which included members of Deem's family. Hood, in his statement, thanked Johnson for paying attention to them.
The death shook the community and thousands of mourners attended Deem's funeral.
Johnson was said to have been behind about $7,000 on lease payments for the Spartan Box, his gym located at Ingram Square off Loop 410, and was in debt $12,000 on five other accounts. Investigators believe he set the building ablaze on May 18, 2017.
Firefighters dispatched to the 86,289-square-foot building, which also housed the Texas Thrift Store and a driving school, found a fire so large, it drew more than 80 SAFD units before it was contained.
Scott Patrick Deem, 31. was killed. A firefighter for SAFD for six years, he was married to Jennifer, his high school sweetheart, and had two children and another on the way.
Two other firefighters were injured. A 2018 report by the State Fire Marshal's Office faulted the department's operations and called the death and injuries preventable. The federal National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health issued its own assessment months later, also critical of the tactical response to the fire that night.
Arson investigators found Johnson gave conflicting accounts of what happened the night of the fire and confronted him with security camera footage that showed someone who fit Johnson's description using a lighter in an alley behind the gym, an affidavit supporting Johnson's arrest stated.
Johnson admitted that he was the individual it showed and said he had wanted to get out of his lease, the affidavit said. It stated that Johnson used a disposable cigarette lighter to ignite a "spilled gasoline/oil mix."
Escalona found him guilty after he entered his plea and sentenced him to 30 years in prison on each charge, to run concurrently. He must serve at least half his sentence before being eligible for parole.
" Emond Johnson intentionally started a fire in his business. Today, justice is served as the Bexar County community holds him accountable," Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said. "Our thoughts are with the affected families as we seek to honor the sacrifices of these courageous firefighters."
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