Becker County, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) – A Becker County jury has acquitted 42-year-old Matthew John Critt of Detroit Lakes on felony wildfire arson charges, in a trial held on June 24, 2025.
The charges stemmed from an incident on June 17, 2024, when a Becker County sheriff’s deputy responded to a fire in Burlington Township. A property owner claimed Critt had repeatedly set fires to the fields. Critt, who lived on the land in a camper with permission, allegedly did not have authority to start the burns.
Deputies observed five separate burn areas moving through grass. Critt admitted starting the fires, stating he was preparing the field for hay and not trying to harm anyone or cause major damage. The Frazee Fire Department extinguished the flames.
After deliberation, the jury returned a not guilty verdict the same day as the trial.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.