German man admits to torching iconic Auburn University tree
![toomer fire final_1474817913569.jpg](https://images.foxtv.com/static.fox5atlanta.com/www.fox5atlanta.com/content/uploads/2019/09/764/432/toomer20fire20final_1474817913569_2069427_ver1.0_640_360.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Credit: JayHawx19/YouTube
OPELIKA, Ala. (AP) -- A German man has pleaded guilty and apologized after setting a fire that engulfed an oak tree at Auburn University's landmark Toomer's Corner.
Jochen Weist pleaded guilty to criminal mischief Thursday in Lee County. Asked to speak, Weist said: "I'm sorry."
The Opelika-Auburn News (http://bit.ly/2ig3Uml ) reports the man agreed to pay more than $20,000 in restitution. He will avoid jail time with a three-year suspended sentence and five years on probation.
A prosecutor says the man likely will get his passport to return to Germany.
The 29-year-old Wiest was accused of setting fire to toilet paper that fans used to roll the oaks after the Auburn-Louisiana State University football game this season.
The tree that burned was a replacement for one poisoned by an Alabama fan about six years ago.