Moorhead Man Charged After Apartment Fire
Moorhead (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead man faces a felony arson charge after an apartment fire on June 28.
Maurice Garrett has been charged with first-degree arson involving a dwelling. The charge was filed in Clay County District Court.
Garrett is accused of intentionally starting a fire inside his Moorhead apartment. The allegations come from a criminal complaint.
A criminal charge is only an accusation. Garrett is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Fire Alarm Brings Emergency Response
Firefighters were called to the apartment building around 5:13 a.m. A fire alarm had been activated inside the building.
According to the complaint, the caller said he had set his apartment on fire. Authorities later identified the caller as Garrett.
The building’s sprinkler system activated before emergency crews arrived. The sprinklers caused significant water damage inside the apartment.
Investigators found a refrigerator near the apartment entrance. The complaint says it appeared to block the doorway.
Authorities also found a burned roll of toilet paper near a back wall. Fire damage was reported near the front door.
Maurice Garrett
Complaint Describes Alleged Statement
Garrett allegedly told authorities that he started the fire on purpose. He reportedly said he used the toilet paper roll.
The complaint says Garrett claimed he was trying to scare an armed man. Garrett said the person remained inside his apartment.
However, authorities searched the apartment and found no other person inside.
Another resident reported seeing Garrett leave the apartment before authorities arrived. The resident said Garrett was carrying knives.
First-Degree Arson Charge
Garrett is charged under Minnesota’s first-degree arson law. The law covers intentional fire damage to a dwelling.
Readers can review the law through the Minnesota Legislature’s statute website.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. It also allows a fine of up to $20,000.
The case is filed in Minnesota’s Seventh Judicial District. Court information is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.
No conviction has been entered in the case. Future hearings will determine how the charge proceeds.
I’m Adrian Cole, reporting for TRF News.
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