Lolo Man Pleads Guilty To Setting Salon On Fire

A 33-year-old Lolo man accused of using his divorce papers to start a fire that burned down his estranged wife's beauty salon in Frenchtown has pleaded guilty to arson.

Shawn Gawronski appeared in District Court on Tuesday and acknowledged setting the fire that destroyed Gifted Hands on March 21. He also pleaded guilty to violating a protection order for the second time, a misdemeanor.

The two counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief were dropped.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 16.

Prosecutors say Gawronski was sitting in his truck, gun in hand, near the burning salon when deputies arrived, and he acknowledged spreading gasoline throughout the building and using the papers to get the fire going.

He also was accused of slashing tires on vehicles belonging to his wife's relatives.

Associated Press