Judge denies arsonist’s bid for parole

By Marcia Moore
The Daily Item

April 08, 2009 08:29 am

— MIDDLEBURG — A convicted arsonist’s bid for parole from the Snyder County Jail was denied Tuesday because he failed to meet the court’s requirement that he find a suitable place to live and transportation to and from a mental-health treatment program.
Alvin Ray Hoover, 36, has served 20 months of a maximum 23-month sentence for burning down his parents’ business, Irvin’s Country Tinware in Mount Pleasant Mills, on Aug. 7, 2007. The fire caused about $1.8 million in damage.
Irvin and Doris Hoover did not rebuild the popular showroom, but continue to sell furniture and other merchandise at Kuhns Bros. American Heritage Crafters in Milton.
Their son pleaded guilty, but mentally ill, in Snyder County Court and was sentenced to a jail term of 11 1/2 months to 23 months.
Although his family supported him throughout the case, they expressed fear of the mentally ill man, and special conditions were imposed by President Judge Harold F. Woelfel Jr.
He also ordered that as a condition of parole, Hoover would have to find suitable housing and a way to get to and from mandatory treatment.
While in jail last October, Hoover got in trouble again when he allegedly punched a 50-year-old inmate, Donald Cooper, of Selinsgrove, and knocked out three teeth.
Charges of assault by a prisoner, simple assault and harassment still are pending, and Hoover is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.
Defense attorney Robert Steinberg petitioned the court to parole Hoover on the arson charge even though he’d remain behind bars on the assault charges and has so far failed to arrange for housing when he’s freed.
The reason he’s seeking parole, Steinberg said, is to stop the sentence on the arson charge and allow him, if convicted, to serve any new sentence.
Assistant District Attorney Michael Hudock opposed Hoover’s release without an approved housing plan.
Woelfel agreed, citing the specific sentencing order, and denied the petition for parole.
“If he doesn’t have an approved parole plan, I’m not going to parole him,” he said, adding that Hoover would be set free once his sentence is completed and he posts bail on the new charges.