Judge Orders 8 Year Sentence for Arson at San Antonio Denny’s

A man who complained about alleged slow service at a Denny’s in South Texas must serve eight years in prison for starting the restaurant’s Christmas tree on fire.

The San Antonio Express-News reports a judge sentenced 25-year-old Christopher Maddocks in a plea deal.

Maddocks in February pleaded no contest to felony arson. He was also ordered to pay nearly $222,000 in restitution over the Dec. 16, 2012, fire that severely damaged the San Antonio restaurant.

A waitress told police that she had about 20 customers when Maddocks and another man twice complained about waiting for their order. The waitress was checking on their food when she saw the tree on fire and the men gone.

Surveillance footage showed Maddocks putting a burning object in the tree.