CEDAR FALLS -- One of two men convicted of setting fires that caused millions of dollars in damage to the University of Northern Iowa in 2005 is out of prison.

And the other is asking his time behind bars also be cut short.

The court suspended Tanner James Wilkens' prison sentence to two to five years of probation after granting a reconsideration following a "shock incarceration."

Wilkens, 25, and accomplice Aaron Lessmeier had been sentenced to 30 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of second-degree arson each in October 2007.

Wilkens was ordered released from the Newton Correctional Facility in August after serving less than a year.

Counting the time he was in jail awaiting trial, Wilkens was incarcerated for about one year and eight months.

His release came about a month after the building that suffered the most damage, Gilchrist Hall, the school's administratin building, reopened after repairs.

Authorities said Wilkens and Lessmeier lit fires in Gilchrist, Lang and Baker halls and a portable toilet during homecoming festivities in 2005.

Lessmeier described it as a reckless prank when he pleaded guilty.

In asking for a reconsideration of Wilkens' sentence, defense attorney Alfredo Parrish said his client received a favorable report from prison officials and has taken full responsibility for his actions.

"Mr. Wilkens has been a model prisoner and has not violated any prison rules during his incarceration," Parrish said in court records.

As per the plea agreement, prosecutors didn't challenge the reconsideration because his review by prison officials was positive, said Black Hawk County Attorney Tom Ferguson.

District Court Judge Jon Fister signed the order Aug. 22.

Wilkens, who had been living in West Des Moines at the time of the fires, will now live with his father in Gowrie, according to court records. His probation will be supervised in Webster County.

Lessmeier, 23, also of West Des Moines, represented by attorney Carter Stevens, is also seeking reconsideration. He was arrested at the same time as Wilkens.

UNI officials said they haven't been notified of the developments when reached for comment Wednesday.

"We're moving ahead. Gilchrist is open for business," said Jim O'Connor, spokesman for UNI.

An official rededication ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 17, and the building will be open for public tours on the weekend of Sept. 20, he said.

Lessmeier and Wilkens were ordered to pay UNI $2 million to cover the university's insurance deductible and about $400 in fines and court costs.

As of Wednesday, Lessmeier had paid $65, and Wilkens paid $500, according to the Black Hawk County Clerk of Court's Office.

Contact Jeff Reinitz at (319) 291-1578 or jeff.reinitz@wcfcourier.com.