A Rapid City man was sentenced to probation for starting small fires in a men's bathroom at Western Dakota Technical Institute.

Ethan Fougner, who earlier pleaded guilty to one count of reckless burning, was sentenced to four years of probation by 7th Circuit Judge Jeff Davis.

Fougner originally faced three counts of reckless burning, which is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in the state penitentiary and a $20,000 fine. The charges stemmed from allegations that Fougner started small fires in a men's restroom at the school.

Pennington County Deputy State's Attorney Tracey Decker said the incidents occurred on June 10, 2004, May 1, 2008, and May 5, 2008.

State law defines reckless burning as starting a fire that recklessly endangers a person or "places a building or occupied structure of another in danger of damage or destruction."