MONTICELLO, NY — Almost a year after the death of Billy Steinberg, an individual has been sentenced in connection with his death.

Mohammed Islam was convicted of setting a January 15 fire in the Town of Thompson; the Forestburgh Fire Department responded to that fire, and assistant chief Billy Steinberg died of a heart attack while at the scene.

Islam pled guilty to manslaughter in the first degree, third-degree burglary and fourth degree arson. In a sentencing hearing on December 19, Sullivan County Court judge James Farrell sentenced Islam to 15 years of incarceration, followed by five years of post-release supervision, for the manslaughter charge; he sentenced Islam to indeterminate sentences between one-and-a-half and four years for the arson charge, and between two and one third years to seven years for the burglary charge respectively, to run concurrently with the manslaughter sentence.

The complexities of the case made the sentencing hearing fraught, including Billy’s importance to the community, Islam’s social circumstances and the statewide issue of bail reform.

Mourning Billy Steinberg

Billy’s father Jim Steinberg spoke before the court about his loss and about the impact it made on his family. Islam had devastated a brotherhood of firefighters and Billy’s family by his actions, said Jim; the family cannot forgive him, and may God have mercy on his soul.

“Mohammed, look at me,” said Jim. “Every time you strike a match or flick a lighter, think about what you did by destroying my family.”

“Billy Steinberg was part of the fabric of the Forestburgh community,” said district attorney Meagan Galligan, following on Jim’s words. Galligan told the court that she had talked with the Steinberg family while deciding what path to take, and ultimately agreed to forgo the spectacle of a trial by jury in favor of the day’s agreement.

In making the 15-year sentence, one negotiated in advance of the hearing by the parties’ lawyers, Farrell extended the court’s deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Billy: it was unnatural for parents to have to bury their children, he said.

Sentencing Mohammed Islam

Before the ruling, Sullivan County Legal Aid Panel executive director Tim Havas spoke on behalf of Islam, his client. Islam chose not to speak; in Havas’ words, Havas echoed Islam’s thoughts on the case.

Islam had immigrated legally from Bangladesh, said Havas. He’d worked for Dunkin’ Donuts before the pandemic, and when laid off, he had “inevitably” become homeless.

Islam went into places and set them on fire because he had been homeless during unreasonably cold weather, and he wanted to be warm, said Havas. “The recklessness and stupidity of that is even beyond me,” but it hadn’t been done out of malice, he added.

“I would respectfully say it’s a harsh sentence,” Havas said. He asked that Islam have access to mental health treatment during his sentence, so that he could pay his debt to society and also ensure that something like this didn’t happen again.

Havas concluded by emphasizing Islam’s contrition and remorse, as Islam had expressed in prior statements to the court. Islam did look Jim Steinberg in the eye, he said; “I don’t celebrate him, but I credit him for that.”

Farrell said in sentencing that Islam would be held to account for his behavior in setting the fire and for the loss of Billy Steinberg.

Sullivan County District Attorney Meagan Galligan, left, Sullivan County Chief Assistant District Attorney Brian Conaty, New York State Senator Mike …

Spree arson

The fire at which Billy Steinberg died was not the only fire Islam had set that January. Islam had been arrested for arson on January 10 and 13, and changes to the New York State bail law ensured his release.

Jim Steinberg addressed the state legislature in his words to the court, saying that the legislators have blood on their hands and need to do something.

Farrell criticized bail reform and the role it played in Billy’s death during Islam’s sentencing.

The police had arrested Islam twice for arson, and twice had to let him walk, said Farrell. Before bail reform, that situation would not have occurred.

“This death should never have occurred,” said Farrell. “Your sentence of 15 years should never have occurred.”

Sullivan County law enforcement and state representation held a press conference at the district attorney’s building following the sentencing. They pushed for the state legislature to consider Billy’s Law, legislation introduced following Billy’s death that takes felony arson in the third and fourth degree and removes it from the bail reform law.

“The morning of Billy’s funeral, watching Jim come up Broadway of Monticello holding his son’s fire helmet… that’s an image that sticks with me, that I brought with me and I shared on the floor of the Senate this year,” said Sen. Mike Martucci (R-42). Martucci and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther had worked hard on Billy’s law, he said; while his time in the Senate is ending, he is confident the mission will not.

“My heart goes out to Billy’s family and friends. There’s no making up a loss like this,” said Sullivan County Sheriff Mike Schiff. “I’m hoping that into the near future, Billy and Billy’s law will be remembered as the impetus… that will change all of the bail reform.”