A former East High football star has pleaded guilty to aggravated arson, a first-degree felony, in connection with a 1998 fire bombing incident that caused him to cut short an LDS Church mission to New York.
Sione Havili faces five years to life in prison when he is sentenced May 7.
The case was scheduled to go to trial earlier this month, but the trial was canceled because both sides were working on an acceptable resolution.
In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed dangerous weapon penalty enhancements against Havili.
Five other men were arrested and charged in connection with the incident that gutted the Salt Lake home. Their cases are in varying stages in the court process.
The group of six allegedly fired guns and threw burning milk jugs full of gasoline into a home at 1634 S. 1000 West because they believed the occupants had previously committed a drive-by shooting at the home of one of the men, court documents state.