The man responsible for burning down the Islamic Center of the Eastside was sentenced to 14 months in prison on Oct. 13.
King County Superior Court Judge Alicea Galvan ordered Isaac Wayne Wilson, 37, to begin the sentence immediately with 272 days already served in the Department of Corrections. He must also abide by state-ordered mental health treatment, including taking all prescribed medications, and cannot contact employees, leadership or members of the Islamic Center or be within 1,000 feet of either.
Wilson pleaded guilty on Sept. 15 to first-degree reckless burning after he was arrested Jan. 14 for arson.
On the night of the fire, a resident of Summerfield Apartments called 911 to report the center was up in flames. A Bellevue police officer was at the scene and saw a man lying on the ground about 100 feet from the building. When he approached him, the man, later determined to be Wilson, told the officer, “I did it.”
After learning Wilson had a Seattle warrant out for his arrest, Bellevue police took him into custody. Officers later smelled gasoline on his clothing and shoes, which became evidence.
While in jail, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agents, the Bellevue Fire Department and Bellevue police conducted an investigation that determined the fire was started by arson. Investigators located a gas can, a water jug and video surveillance, all pointing to Wilson as the suspect.
In a review of Wilson’s criminal history, prosecutors learned he was convicted of fourth-degree assault and disorderly conduct in 2016 for an assault on a member of the Islamic Center for the Eastside.
In a December run-in with police, Wilson told officers he had schizophrenia. In the past, members of the Eastside Islamic community tried to help Wilson and pay for his medications because he couldn’t, as he was homeless.
For more information on the Islamic Center of the Eastside, visit www.eastsidemosque.com.
The Reporter has reached out to the Islamic Center of the Eastside for comment but has not yet heard back.
