Man who started massive Charlotte apartment fire will spend time in prison before being deported

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man who started a massive fire at an east Charlotte apartment complex that left 130 people without a home will spend time in prison before being deported.

[PAST COVERAGE: Investigators searching for Charlotte apartment arsonist]

Jesus Reyes Lopez pleaded guilty to 32 counts of arson Tuesday. He will serve 51-74 months before before sent back to his native Mexico.

Lopez had been charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder and destruction of property. Those charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.

(Jesus Reyes Lopez)

The three-alarm fire last July at Woodscape Apartments on Farm Pond Lane caused about $1.3 million in damage, according to police.

People were jumping off second and third floor balconies to escape the fire.

Before the fire, Lopez had gotten into a dispute with another man over a woman who was pregnant with his child. Lopez admitted to lighting a plant on fire on the second floor. Witnesses say Lopez was standing outside the burning apt fire smiling.

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