Aaron Demitris Dukes, 31, was sentenced to life in prison after a jury  found him guilty of assault in the first degree for setting his girlfriend on fire. This was the defendant’s third strike offense.

“The three strike law was enacted to protect the public from violent criminals like Aaron Dukes,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist. “The community is safer now that he is permanently behind bars.”

On January 10, 2012, the defendant entered his girlfriend’s home, poured rubbing alcohol on her, then lit her on fire. Lakewood Police Officers responded to the victim’s call. She was immediately transported to the Burn Center at Harborview Medical Center. She sustained second and third degree burns to approximately 12% of her body, including her face. The defendant was arrested the following day.

The defendant has several felony convictions including Robbery in the First Degree, Possession of Stolen Property in the First Degree, and a domestic violence related Assault in the Second Degree.