A Cumberland County man appeared in criminal court today on a charge of arson.

Law enforcement says on December 26, 2022, deputies and firefighters responded to 13186 Lantana Road for a house fire. Upon arrival, 38-year-old Billy Ray Knight stated he was the one who called dispatch for the fire. Two witnesses told officers that Knight set fire to the house because they were evicting him. After further investigation, Knight was arrested for arson.

In court today, Knight entered a plea of guilty to the charge.

The judge sentenced him to 10 years in prison to serve at 35 percent as a range two offender in Tennessee.