Sentencing scheduled in arson case
SANDPOINT — A sentencing hearing is set for a Bonner County man charged with committing arson.
Michael Shaun Peterson pleaded guilty to amended charge of third-degree arson and misdemeanor injury to a child, 1st District Court records show. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 26.
Peterson, 43, was originally charged with first-degree arson after he allegedly doused his former wife’s home with kerosene last July. He was further accused of striking a woman with his vehicle after setting the fire, resulting in additional misdemeanor charges of battery and malicious injury to property
Peterson was charged with injury to a child because he drove recklessly with his 2-year-old son in the vehicle, according to court documents.
The rampage occurred a day after their divorce was finalized, according to the Idaho Supreme Court Data Repository. The woman was not at the Pinecrest Road residence, although other adults and children were present, court records indicate.
Peterson pleaded not guilty to the offense and was scheduled to be tried last December. However, Peterson entered into a plea agreement which saw the dismissal of battery and vandalism charges in exchange for pleas to an amended arson charge and the child injury charge, court records show.
Peterson faces up to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to the amended arson charge. Peterson faced up to 25 years if convicted of the original arson charge.
The state has indicated in court records that it will not oppose retained jurisdiction, which means Peterson could be released from prison after serving a year behind bars.
Meanwhile, Peterson’s friends and family have been submitting letters to the court attesting to the tile mason’s newfound sobriety, solid work ethic and character. Peterson’s supporters include Sandpoint Mayor Shelby Rognstad, who has hired him for work in the past.
“I have and would continue to recommend Mike as a tile worker and have nothing but high regard for his behavior and character,” Rognstad wrote in the letter.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.