Zarins sentenced for drug lab fatal fire
Matthew J. Zarins, 51 of Athens, will spend up to 10 years in prison for the negligent homicide death of Jennifer K. Johnson, 51 of Stanley.
Zarins was in court last week facing sentencing on multiple charges stemming from a Jan. 11, 2023 structure fire at N44 Clark Dr. in the town of Maplehurst. Zarins was injured but survived the fire, Johnson later died from her injuries.
In February, Zarins was found guilty due to a guilty plea of charges of homicide by negligent handling of dangerous weapons/ explosives and guilty due to a guilty plea of maintaining a drug trafficking place. Charges of manufacturing/deliver amphetamine (<=3 grams) - conspiracy to commit, possession of methamphetamine precursors, and knowingly possess methamphetamine waste were dismissed but read in for sentencing purposes.
In February, Judge Ann Knox Bauer ordered a presentence Investigation by Department of Corrections. A sentencing hearing was held on April 18.
As part of the sentencing process, the district attorney and the defendant’s attorney have the opportunity to make recommendations to the judge regarding what they believe the sentence should be.
District Attorney Kristi Tlusty asked the judge for a 10-year jail sentence on the homicide charge while Zarins’ attorney Jessica Fehrenbach, asked for the sentence in the homicide charge be a withheld sentence and that Zarins be placed on probation for a period of 5 years with the condition of serving one year in county jail. Since Zarins already has 351 days of credit for time served, his attorney’s recommendation would amount to very little additional jail time.
After hearing the recommendations from both attorneys Judge Knox-Bauer ordered a 10 year prison sentence consisting of 5 years of initial confinement followed by 5 years of extended supervision for the homicide charge. For the count of maintaining a drug trafficking place, the judge See ZARINS on page 4 ordered a 2 year prison sentence consisting of 1 year of initial confinement followed by 1 year of extended supervision to run concurrent with the first count. Conditions of supervision are to pay the court costs on each count, provide a DNA sample and pay the surcharge on each count, pay the restitution which is to be determined and the State has 30 days to put in their request. Court also orders conditions of maintaining absolute sobriety, to not associate with anyone actively using or possessing illegal drugs, or actively involved in any illegal activity. In addition, Zarins is to have no contact with the victim’s family, has to go through an alcohol and other drug assessment and follow through with any recommended treatment, and attend any counseling as deemed appropriate by the probation agent. Zarins has 351 days of credit for jail time previously served.
