MARSHALL — A man charged with arson and burglary in a 2019 house fire was convicted by a Lyon County judge on Wednesday.

In a verdict filed in Lyon County District Court, Judge Michelle Dietrich found Tyson Joe Hinckley guilty of first degree arson, second degree burglary and motor vehicle theft. In her verdict, Dietrich said prosecutors had proved that Hinckley broke into a garage at a rural Lyon County home and set a fire inside.

A sentencing hearing was set for April 5.

The judge’s verdict came one week after a trial for Hinckley wrapped up in Lyon County District Court. Hinckley had waived his right to a jury trial, and instead had a court trial with a judge.

Hinckley, 36, was charged in 2019 after a fire destroyed the house and attached garage of Tom and Julie Sando, in rural Stanley Township. When a Lyon County Sheriff’s deputy arrived at the fire scene, he found Hinckley there.

Dietrich’s verdict outlined the events leading up to Hinckley’s arrest, which were presented at last week’s trial. On July 11, 2019, the evening before the fire, Hinckley had parked his car about a mile away from the Sando residence, and taken methamphetamines. The verdict said Hinckley hid through the evening, believing law enforcement were coming to kill him. The next day he went to the Sando residence.

The verdict said Hinckley first tried to drive away in a van belonging to the Sandos, but when the van became stuck in a nearby field, he returned to the house. Hinckley broke a window to get inside the attached garage, and started a fire inside.

Law enforcement officers were looking for Hinckley on the day of the fire after he was reported missing, the verdict said.

Hinckley testified that he only intended to create smoke to get the attention and assistance of firefighters, the verdict said. However, Dietrich said she did not find Hinckley’s testimony credible.

While Hinckley was intoxicated at the time of the fire, the prosecution had proved he was capable of intentionally committing the crimes he was charged with, Dietrich’s verdict said.

A pre-sentencing investigation will be completed before Hinckley’s sentencing hearing in April, court records said.