Van Donge pleads guilty to reckless burning and other crimes
By Terry Murry on Thursday, September 23rd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A Walla Walla woman has pled guilty to amended charges involving two criminal cases against her – intentionally setting fire to her father’s home this past June and charges stemming from a January 2019 theft case. Hannah Van Donge, 25, entered her guilty pleas on Sept. 16 in Walla Walla County Superior Court.
The first case involved her lighting a fire at the family home on the 1200 block of Whitman Street on June 16. Police located Van Donge attempting to scale a backyard fence near the residence. Investigators said the fire might have been set following an argument she had with her father.
The fire caused about $18,000 damage to the home and Van Donge was charged with first-degree reckless burning – domestic violence, which is a felony.
Van Donge also entered a plea involving a theft case and charges filed against her following an arrest in January 2019. She pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery, one count of second-degree theft, one count of third-degree theft and one count of second-degree identity theft.
Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Nagle said a sentencing date will be set after Van Donge is screened for a drug offender sentencing alternative and the report is completed.
