CASPER — A 46-year-old Casper man who police say told investigators that anger led him to commit arson pleaded not guilty to starting 13 fires at an arraignment in Natrona County District Court on Tuesday.

Dallas Ray Smith stood beside his attorney Dylan Rosalez before Judge Kerri Johnson as she went over the 13 counts of arson against him that include two first-degree arson charges, one third-degree charge, and 10 counts of fourth-degree arson. Police say Smith posed a threat to the city through the summer, setting blazes around Casper between May and August.

The cumulative charges carry a potential penalty of 55 years in prison.

Smith told the judge that he takes medication and has been diagnosed with a mental illness but could understand the proceedings against him.

Johnson read thr

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