By james art 
EAST VALLEY, Ariz. – An East Valley teenager who set fire to a barn with people inside was sentenced Monday. The incident happened in July, the owner of the barn told ABC15 that a group of teenagers threw fireworks that started the fire.
Two teenagers were arrested in the case and charged in juvenile court. There was a lot of emotion on both sides Monday as a judge sentenced the 16-year-old to one year of enhanced probation and deferred custody.
“Yeah, it was very traumatic,” Lexi Jones said.
The teenagers at the barn on July 3 spoke in court, describing a group of boys showing up wearing ski masks and bandanas. The victims said these guys were throwing fireworks when their group was going out and having a movie night. In court, one teenager said the situation changed in seconds and the entire barn was engulfed in about two minutes.
The teenagers described fearing for their lives that night, saying: “It was a deadly experience.”
Two teenagers were eventually arrested, but the owner of the barn told ABC15 that only one teenager changed his plea. Jenny Jones spoke with ABC15 in the days after she lost her barn. Also destroyed, Jones said, were family heirlooms and irreplaceable items that were also inside.
Monday’s courtroom was packed for both sides. Some supporters of the victim and the defendant had to watch virtually from outside the courtroom.
The family of the 16-year-old, who admitted he had been repeatedly cited in September, called his decision “reckless”. But relatives insisted the teenager did not want to hurt anyone.
On Monday, a judge sentenced the unnamed 16-year-old to one year of intensive probation. She said in the courtroom that was the legal maximum. The teenager also received 120 days of deferred custody and weeks of deferred electronic monitoring.
The grandfather of the teenager, identified only by his first name, spoke with ABC15 as he left court.
“He knew better,” John said. “He knew he shouldn’t have.”
John told ABC15 that his grandson understands the seriousness of his actions and accepts responsibility.
The judge also ordered the teenager to complete community service with causes of burn or fire. Something requested by one of victim John Lewis’ parents.
“I want to live in the real world, there’s no justice,” Lewis said.
When asked about the sentence, the grandfather of the teenage defendant said they were fine with taking responsibility. The 16-year-old’s family stressed in court that they want him to be able to make changes at home.
“I’m hoping for reformation of anyone at that age, because incarceration or doing workbooks, that’s not going to change anything,” Lewis said. “It’s about seeing what could happen and hearing those stories firsthand.”
Video of a different incident in November was sent to ABC15 by LeeAnn Slade, who lives not far from the Jones family. She said that last November, her yard was also hit by what appeared to be an explosive device. Gilbert Police have confirmed that the case number she gave us is still active. We’re told investigators are reviewing “more than 1.6 million pieces of digital evidence related to the suspects in these cases.” Officials said they are investigating whether the two are related or related to others.
Police also confirmed to ABC15 that there was an internal affairs investigation into the incident in November that resulted in “corrective action.” We asked for more information, but Gilbert Police did not respond to our questions. Instead, ABC15 was told to file a public records request.
After the trial, Jones’ parents are still distraught.
“I contacted the Gilbert Police Department office to request a meeting with the chief, but I have not heard back from anyone yet,” Jones said.
John told ABC15 he is demanding action and change from city leadership.
“The [Town] Gilbert bills itself as the safest city in America,” Lewis said. “Nothing like that until the city manager is removed and the police chief is placed on probation or suspended. There is no change to take place; because these kids, from the Gilbert Goons to these kids, will continue to do this until the leaders stand up and make it acceptable no longer.”
ABC15 reached out to the entire Gilbert council and the city manager, our team is still waiting for a response.
Gilbert Police sent ABC15 the following statement.
“The department is constantly striving to improve our ability to engage and keep our community safe. In August 2024, GPD launched the newly created Community Youth Engagement Officer and numerous additional initiatives including enhanced back-to-school and fall break patrols and a proactive evening hour Gilbert PD remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety of our community and our youth .”