A Butler County man who stabbed a sheriff’s deputy after setting a vehicle on fire in Madison Township was sentenced Wednesday to prison. Butler County Common Pleas Judge Greg Howard sentenced 42-year-old Phillip Lovely to an indefinite prison term of eight to 12 years after he previously pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated murder and arson charges stemming from the February incident. According to court records, Lovely admitted to attempting to kill Butler County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Farthing and to setting his girlfriend’s vehicle on fire. Deputy Farthing, who has since recovered from his injuries, was in the courtroom for Wednesday’s sentencing. He was joined by fellow deputies, detectives and Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones in a show of support. Judge Howard imposed a mandatory prison term of eight years to a maximum of 12 years on the attempted aggravated murder conviction. Lovely also received a 12-month sentence on the arson charge, to be served concurrently. Court records show Lovely was given credit for 119 days already served in jail. He will also be subject to mandatory post-release control and must register as both a violent offender and an arson offender following his release from prison. 

(Editor's Note: AI-Assisted Copy)
(Photo Courtesy: Butler County Jail)