Judge Sentences Big Bag of Crazy to Probation

SAN ANGELO, TX -- Senior District Judge Brock Jones took only a few minutes Wednesday morning to sentence Chelsea Strube to long term probation after a jury convicted her of arson and recommended a probated sentence. 

Strube was convicted of attempting to set a car on fire in the Deadhorse Bar parking lot. 

Arson is a second degree felony punishable by two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.  Because Strube had not been convicted of a prior felony, she was eligible for community supervision probation.  

On the night of Sept. 8, 2015 San Angelo Police and Firefighters responded to the report of a vehicle fire at the Deadhorse.  The vehicle belonged to Shelby Siler who was dating Strube's ex-boyfriend Brendan Farnsworth.  A San Angelo Firefighter testified he pulled a burning rag out of the gas tank filler preventing further damage. 

Testimony and surveillance video placed Strube in downtown San Angelo and in the parking lot on the night of the fire. 

Fire investigators later went to Strube's residence near Veribest and searched her red Mustang where they found a bag labeled 'Big Bag of Crazy' that contained matches and lighters and other evidence.  

A Tom Green County jury listened to testimony for a week before finding Strube guilty.  The same jury then spent one day assessing punishment.  The jury recommended ten years in prison probated allowing the Judge Jones to set the terms of probation. 

Judge Jones Wednesday sentenced Strube to ten years in prison and suspended the sentence ordering her to serve ten years community supervision probation. He also ordered Strube to perform 300 hours of community service and pay a $10,000 fine.  He also ordered Strube to attend anger management counseling.   Strube organizes the Wall, TX Fourth of July Parage and Judge Jones said that would work as her community service.  The conditions of probation also include no contact with the victim.  Normally probation requires the person to have no contact with convicted felons but Strube works for an attorney's office and regularly comes in contact with convicted felons.  Judge Jones struct that requirement from Strube's probation. 

Strube is eligible to appeal her conviction because she didn't take a plea bargain.