ECHL defenseman Justin Agosta, 25, has been charged with arson after he doused love letters from a girlfriend in gasoline and set them on fire. The blaze got out of control and Agosta attempted to put it out with water and a towel before calling 911.

The Hockey News

In his first season of professional hockey, defenseman Justin Agosta has eight goals, 17 points and one arrest to his name.

Agosta, 25, was arrested Dec. 30, but details of the arrest hadn’t been made public as he continued to play for the ECHL’s Florida Everblades. This past weekend, though, information about the arrest became public. It turns out Agosta was arrested just before the new year on charges of arson, according to the Naples Daily News.

According to Naples Daily News, Agosta told firefights he was “upset with his girlfriend” and decided to burn love letters she had given him. He purchased gasoline from a gas station, doused the letters and set them ablaze. However, the fire got out of control and neared the entrance to his apartment. He attempted to put the fire out with water and a towel to little avail, leading to his apartment’s fire sprinkler going off.

Since the arrest, Agosta has only missed one game — a Jan. 9 contest against the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Since Dec. 30, Agosta has scored three goals and four points and has eight goals and 16 points this season with the Everblades. He has also suited up for eight games with the Charlotte Checkers this season and has one assist in the AHL.

Agosta spent three seasons at the NCAA’s University of New Hampshire, but transferred to Quinnipac to play his final NCAA season in 2014-15. In 155 NCAA games, Agosta scored 12 goals and 67 points.

According to the Naples Daily News, Agosta’s next court appearance is expected Feb. 1.