AUGUSTA —Three years ago, Zachary B. Lowe, then 16, pleaded guilty to setting fire to the Winthrop public library by pushing a lit paper towel roll through a basement window.

The blaze caused about $160,000 in damage, and Lowe was sent to Mountain View Youth Development Center in Charleston.

On Wednesday, Lowe, now 20, of Winthrop, admitted stealing drugs from his grandmother on June 2 as well as separate charges of stealing drugs, violating conditions of release and theft by unauthorized taking or transfer that occurred in late August, all in Winthrop.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting his sister on July 29 after she told him to leave her West Gardiner home.

A judge in Kennebec County Superior Court sentenced Lowe to three years in prison, with all but 180 days suspended, and two years of probation.

Lowe’s attorney, Stephen Bourget, said Lowe admits he has a drug problem and plans to address it.

“He’s grown up,” Bourget said Thursday. “He told the judge he had an issue with drugs, and when he is done his jail time, he is going to go into a long-term rehabilitation (program).”

Bourget also said Lowe’s family members were in court and are standing by him and overjoyed he plans to begin rehabilitation. “They believe it’s a drug issue and will help him out as best they can,” Bourget said.

Two other people were sentenced this week in separate hearings in Kennebec County Superior Court:

* David Burden, 36, of Augusta, unlawful possession of scheduled drug Oct. 19, 2011, in Augusta; $750 fine.

* Norman J. Moulton III, 36, of Oakland, theft by unauthorized taking or transfer Dec. 8, 2010, in Waterville; seven-day jail sentence, $500 fine.

Betty Adams — 621-5631

badams@centralmaine.com

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