Man Who Set Homeless Girlfriend On Fire Pleads Not Guilty: DA

CALVERTON, NY — A Calverton man who allegedly set fire to his homeless girlfriend pleaded not guilty Tuesday on an eight-count indictment at his arraignment, Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said.

Ryan Osborne, 30, of Calverton, was arrested after he allegedly poured a flammable liquid on the woman and set her on fire, Spota said.

Osborne was charged with second degree attempted murder, first and second degree arson, two counts of second degree assault, aggravated criminal contempt and two counts of second degree criminal contempt, Spota said.

The criminal contempt charges stem from Osborne’s alleged violation of a permanent order of protection issued in January, 2016 directing him to stay away from the woman, Spota said.

According to Riverhead Police, Osborne and the woman, who is homeless and was living in a tent in a wooded area near Osborne’s house, had an argument the day prior to the incident.

On the evening of May 17, the defendant allegedly poured a flammable liquid into a mesh opening of the tent where she was sleeping and set the tent ablaze, Spota said.

With her legs on fire, the victim was able to dive out of the tent and roll on the ground to extinguish the flames; she told police she saw Osborne running away from the scene, Spota said.

The woman, 33, suffered burns to her legs, face and hands, Spota said.

Following the arraignment, Judge Martin Efman remanded Osborne to the Suffolk County Correctional Facility without bail, Spota said.

Earlier in May, Osborne was arrested after he allegedly used an accelerant to set the woman on fire; the incident also led to a brush fire in the area, police said.

The fire extended to the wooded area where the tent was located and the Riverhead Volunteer Fire Department was notified and responded to the area to extinguish the flames, police said.

The victim was transported to Peconic Bay Medical Center for her injuries and later transported to Stony Brook Hospital, police said.

A firefighter at the scene was injured by a branch and sustained a concussion, according to a source at the scene.