Man pleads guilty to setting sheriff’s deputy on fire

RAVENNA, Ohio – A man accused of igniting a container of flammable liquid and throwing it at a sheriff’s deputy who was badly burned pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted murder.

Jay Brannon, 45, will face 16 years in prison when he’s sentenced next week.

Officers were serving felony warrants on Brannon last February when he threw the liquid at a Portage County deputy who suffered burns on 20% of his body and was hospitalized, authorities said.

Two other officers were treated for smoke inhalation after the confrontation in Rootstown Township, 55 miles (90 kilometres) south of Cleveland.

The deputy who was burned and other law enforcement officers were in court when Brannon pleaded guilty to charges including aggravated arson and felonious assault.

Brannon decided to plead guilty so that he could accept responsibility for his actions, his attorney said Tuesday.