A Whiteside County judge has rejected a plea agreement that would have put a Sterling man behind bars for eight years in connection with an October 2024 fire that destroyed a Galt home and injured two people. He was seen spending $20 on gas he had put into a unique, round, red gas can. Prosecutors on Feb. 27 charged Swan with one count each of aggravated arson, knowing people are present, which is a Class X felony; residential arson; and arson. Under the proposed deal presented in Whiteside County Court on Thursday, Sept. 25, Swan would have been sentenced to 8 years in prison on the residential arson charge in exchange for a guilty plea. Also, as part of the plea agreement, Swan was going to plead guilty in three other cases.