ALPENA — On Tuesday, 56-year-old Gerald Stedman was sentenced in Alpena Circuit Court to 13.5 to 50 years in prison for setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s house which resulted in the death of her dog.

Gerald Stedman pleaded guilty to one count of second-degree arson, one count of second-degree home invasion, and one count of arson with preparation to burn a dwelling.

Despite Stedman’s plea, his attorney Rick Steiger requested that Stedman not be asked to serve more than 12 years.

Steiger cited Stedman’s remorse for his crime as well as his willingness to take responsibility and his respectful conduct while incarcerated as evidence that he deserved a lighter sentence.

Alpena County Prosecutor Cynthia Muszynski, however, argued that Stedman should have to serve the full 15 years for his crimes, citing the death of the victim’s dog as well as the destruction of their dwelling and all the hardships that come with it.

Alpena County Judge Ed Black ultimately decided to meet in the middle of the two requests with a sentence of 13.5 years with 308 days credit.

Stedman was arrested on April 13 after setting his ex-girlfriend’s house on fire.

The Alpena County Sheriff’s Office said in a press release at the time that Stedman was spotted exiting the window of the burning building on the 500 block of Michigan Avenue and fleeing the scene in a black sedan.

With the help of the Michigan State Police Fugitive Team, Stedman was tracked to an address near Cincinnati and was arrested without incident.