POLK COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — Suzette Gay Thompson, a 60-year-old woman from Thief River Falls, has pleaded guilty to first-degree arson for starting a fire at the Islamic Center in East Grand Forks.
According to court documents, on June 5, 2022, an officer was dispatched to the Islamic Center after receiving a report that someone had set fire to the building. Surveillance footage showed Thompson using a lighter and spray can to set a curtain on fire before fleeing the scene.
Thompson initially denied any involvement in the incident but later told law enforcement she had been drinking again over the weekend of the arson. A breath test given by Thompson yielded a 0.00 result, indicating no alcohol was present at the time of testing.
The state filed a prosecutor’s offer that would allow Thompson to serve 120 days in custody and complete certain assessments as part of her sentence. However, further investigation is required before sentencing can take place.
Thompson’s plea hearing took place on November 20, with her sentencing scheduled for January 14.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for trfnews.i234.me