Man pleads guilty as charged, sentenced in Asheville Outlets arson

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — A man pleaded guilty as charged in the January 2023 storage room fire at Asheville Outlets, Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams said.

On Monday, April 8, Gregory Seth Silver, 39, of Asheville, pleaded guilty to burning an occupied commercial structure. He was sentenced by visiting Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judge Karen Eady-Williams to serve an active term of 44-65 months in the custody of the N.C. Division of Adult Corrections. Silver was also ordered to pay $11,825.49 in restitution.

FIRE IN THE ASHEVILLE OUTLETS EXTINGUISHED BY SPRINKLER SYSTEM, OFFICIALS SAY

On Jan. 11, 2023, Asheville Police Department and Asheville Fire Department responded to a reported storage room fire at the outlets on Brevard Road. The fire caused damage to the storage room and to an adjacent business.

A joint criminal investigation by police and fire departments determined the fire was intentionally set by Silver.

“The D.A.’s office notes and appreciates the constructive collaboration between Asheville Police and Fire investigators. Every arson investigation poses unique technical challenges but the professional teamwork and expertise brought to bear in this case was critical in securing Silver’s conviction as charged,” DA Williams said.