Sweet Home Church arsonist goes to jail

Andrew Jacob Justin Cartwright, 37, pleaded guilty to first-degree arson last week at the Linn County Courthouse.

Oregon State Police arrested Cartwright in April 2023 in connection with the February 2023 fire at Fir Lawn Lutheran Church, which authorities said severely damaged the building.

During his arraignment Last year, on charges of arson, burglary and criminal mischief, he said he did not want a lawyer, although he was eventually granted a defense, and pleaded guilty to arson.

“I did it because I don’t like the church,” Cartwright told the court, adding that he wanted to be sentenced as quickly as possible. “I’m not going anywhere, I’m going to jail for life.”

Fir Lawn Lutheran Church board president Barb Moody declined to comment on the outcome of the case or Cartwright’s sentence. Following the fire, Fir Lawn held services at Sweet Home United Methodist Church.

October 17 Sweet Home Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit to allow American Legion Post 133 to occupy the former Fir Lawn building. The commission members unanimously approved the permit application.

Moody confirmed the Legion’s interest in purchasing the building, saying there are plans to install a new roof before the sale.

Around 1:25 a.m., February 25, 2023, someone called 911 and reported that the Lutheran Church on Fir Lawn there was a fire at 109 W. Holly Road.

Firefighters arriving to help found flames and smoke billowing from the church. The Sweet Home Fire District called for backup from Albany, Brownsville and Halsey, downgrading the fire to a two-alarm emergency. Firefighters reportedly worked at the scene for more than an hour.

Investigators found multiple fire points at the church, as well as the possibility of accelerants being used, according to an Oregon State Police affidavit. Portland Fire and Rescue brought down a K-9 arson detector to further confirm that someone intentionally started the fire.

Using surveillance video from a neighbor’s home and a Thriftway gas station, police zeroed in on Cartwright as the suspect, the affidavit said, noting that Cartwright was wearing a distinctive hi-vis jacket similar to one typically worn by firefighters.

Sweet Home police tried to contact Cartwright under the Pleasant Valley Bridge where he was reportedly camped, but he was not there, according to the affidavit. Officers also found a burned Bible at the camp along with mail addressed to Cartwright.

About 12 hours after the fire, Cartwright was seen using a computer at the Sweet Home Public Library. The library director told officers that Cartwright smelled strongly of smoke — and not just fire smoke, but something much stronger, the affidavit states.

When Oregon State Troopers found Cartwright in April 2023, he reportedly said he spent the night at the church and drove to Roseburg the next morning. He admitted he was wearing a green and black hi-vis jacket that night.

He later admitted to setting the fire, the affidavit states.

Court records show Cartwright has previously been found guilty of stalking, possession of methamphetamine, carrying a concealed weapon, unauthorized use of a vehicle, trespassing, driving under the influence and unlawful possession of a firearm.

In January 2017 Cartwright was arrested in Lebanon. on suspicion of rape and sexual assault of a mentally incapacitated woman in 2013. The jury found him not guilty and acquitted him of all charges.

He was found mentally incompetent to stand trial in May 2023, according to court records, which indicate that Cartwright was being treated at an Oregon hospital. He was subsequently declared fit to continue working in August 2024.

During Cartwright’s arson sentencing, he was also sentenced in another case in which he was charged with third-degree robbery, third-degree theft and failure to appear. Cartwright pleaded guilty to robbery charges and was sentenced to 18 months, to run concurrently with a five-year sentence for arson.

He was also ordered to pay $10 in restitution to the victim in connection with the robbery of Serrano’s Taqueria, according to court documents.

Cartwright is currently being held at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility in Wilsonville, according to the Department of Corrections. Its earliest release date is listed as June 16, 2028.

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