Moorhead Man Charged After Apartment Fire
Moorhead (trfnews.i234.me) — An 81-year-old Moorhead man faces a felony charge following an apartment fire early Sunday.
Maurice Garrett was charged Monday in Clay County District Court. He faces first-degree arson of a dwelling.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. It also allows a fine of up to $20,000.
Those penalties are listed under Minnesota’s first-degree arson law.
Fire Reported Early Sunday
According to the criminal complaint, firefighters responded shortly after 5 a.m. on June 28.
The fire was reported at an apartment building in the 800 block of Second Avenue North.
A fire alarm had been activated inside the building. The caller later identified himself as Garrett.
The complaint states Garrett told dispatchers he had set his apartment on fire.
When police arrived, they found heavy water damage from the building’s sprinkler system.
Inside the apartment, a refrigerator appeared to block the front door.
Fire Damage Found Near Entrance
Police also found a burned toilet paper roll near a back wall.
Investigators reported severe fire damage near the apartment’s entrance.
The refrigerator, front door, and nearby wall all showed signs of burning.
Garrett told police he started the fire with the toilet paper roll.
He said he wanted to scare away a man he believed was inside.
Garrett also believed that the person had a gun, according to the complaint.
Police searched the apartment but found no other person inside.
A neighbor told police Garrett left the apartment while carrying knives.
That reported sighting happened before officers arrived at the building.
Court Proceedings Continue
Court records say Garrett remains in custody under a detention order.
No bail amount was listed in the criminal complaint.
The case remains pending in Clay County District Court in Moorhead.
The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides public information about the Clay County court.
The charge is an accusation and does not prove guilt.
Garrett is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.