Cheyenne Woman Gets 8 Years For Arson

AP-2 OCT’-14

A federal judge has sentenced a woman to eight years in prison for setting a fire two years ago at a Cheyenne hotel that housed more than 50 people at the time.

Judge Alan B. Johnson on Wednesday sentenced 53-year-old Judi Bufkin to prison to be followed by three years of supervised probation. He ordered her to pay over $110,000 restitution.

Bufkin pleaded guilty to arson in connection with an October 2012 fire at the Judi’s Cajun Kitchen restaurant she operated in the Central Plaza Hotel building in Cheyenne.

Federal prosecutor Stu Healy said there were over 50 people in the downtown hotel when the fire started. He said Bufkin showed disregard for human life by setting the fire.
Defense lawyer David Weiss said Bufkin didn’t intend to endanger anyone.