Although Allen was facing "up to 35 years in prison" for the arson and "up to 5 years" for burning the dogs alive, we all know no one ever gets the maximum.
Instead, Allen was sentenced to 10 years for the arson and 5 years for burning the dogs alive inside the home. Although the records don't say so, it's likely that the judge ordered him to serve the sentences concurrently (at the same time) rather than consecutively (one after the other).
The good news is that the arson requires him to serve at least 85% of his sentence so he's gonna be locked up for at least 8-1/2 years.
On a side note, isn't it pathetic that burning an empty structure gets you a much more harsh punishment than burning animals alive? Ugh.
Offender: Matthew Allen
OK DOC#: 757142
Birth Date: 5/23/1977
Court: CHEROKEE COUNTY COURT, OKLAHOMA
Disposition date: 02/13/2017
#1
Offense: CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Sentence: 5 years
#2
Offense: ARSON - FIRST DEGREE (85 PCT)
Sentence: 10 years
Earlier:
