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Port Richey Fireworks Stand Arson Yields Prison Sentence

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By TODD LESKANIC | The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 5, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A Tampa man authorities blamed for an explosion at a Port Richey fireworks tent pleaded no contest to first-degree arson this morning.

Tony Glenn Rogers, 41, was sentenced to four years in prison as part of a deal with prosecutors. Minus the time Rogers spent in Pasco County Jail awaiting trial, his sentence works out to about 2 1/2 years.

An arson conviction can carry a prison term of up to 30 years.

Rogers and two friends went to a Galaxy Fireworks stand at U.S. 19 and Hammock Road on July 4, 2007. Authorities said Rogers lit a firework inside the tent, setting off a chain reaction of explosions that shot through the roof and destroyed the business.

Andrea Berkman and her son, Griffin, then 5, were injured in the blast and have sued Rogers and Galaxy Fireworks. The lawsuit is pending.

Reporter Todd Leskanic can be reached at (727) 815-1084 or tleskanic@tampatrib.com.

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