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TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2003

A New Mexico man was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for setting a fire on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

Paul James Valdez, 28, pleaded guilty to arson for starting the Lower Cooley Fire and for violating the Endangered Species Act.

The fire was one of more than 100 on the reservation that were considered arson. A task force of federal, tribal and state investigators looked into the incidents.

Get the Story:
Tularosa man sentenced to 2½ years for Mescalero fire (AP 5/20)

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