Meyer pleads guilty to amended arson charge
SANDPOINT — The woman charged in connection to a July 4 fire that burned down the Army Surplus 1 store pled guilty Tuesday to an amended charge of second-degree arson.
In a court room filled with 14 spectators, Jennifer Suzanne Meyer, 50, pled guilty to starting the fire that destroyed the downtown Sandpoint business. As part of a pretrial settlement agreement, Meyer’s charges were amended to reflect her admission of second-degree arson, which was reduced from the original charge of first-degree arson.
Meyer seemed calm and attentive during the hearing, answering questions using monosyllabic words.
Meyer could face up to 15 years in jail and a $70,000 fine. It is undetermined the costs she will pay for damages to Army Surplus 1.
Meyer will be sentenced June 16.
According to a probable cause affidavit, when the arson fire investigation started, security footage led Sandpoint deputies to believe Meyer was in the vicinity of the crime scene and acting in a suspicious demeanor. After local authorities brought Meyer in for an interview, police informed her that she was seen on several security cameras on the night of the fire. When asked about her whereabouts, a search warrant affidavit suggests “Meyer was caught lying about her statements regarding her routes and clothing attire during the time in question.”
Subsequent to further questioning by Sandpoint police, Meyer was arrested on a charge of first-degree arson and transported to Bonner County Jail.
A search warrant for Meyer’s house was obtained shortly after her arrest. At her house, officials found a bag next to the front door containing personal documents such as a driver’s license, birth certificate, college transcript and passport, $1,000 in cash, a gun and ammunition and silver valued at $1,200.
During her preliminary hearing, Meyer refused to appear on camera, resulting in the jail transferring her to the courthouse. As a result of Meyer’s behavior, concerns were raised in regard to her mental health.
A competency hearing later determined Meyer was unable to assist in her defense and was “significantly impaired” and unable to understand further proceedings. Meyer was transferred to Idaho State Hospital North where she received mental health treatment. According to court records, she received treatment from Aug. 21 to Jan. 30, before being placed back into custody at Bonner County Jail.
Shortly after her transfer to the jail, Meyer attended an arraignment hearing where she heard the charges being filed against her. When asked how she pled to the first-degree arson charge, Meyer’s defense counsel entered a not guilty plea on her behalf and a trial date was set for May 12.
That date has been vacated as a result of Meyer’s change of plea.
An individual is seen near the Army Surplus 1 store in Sandpoint.
Area firefighters aim water at the Army Surplus building after the fire was engulfed in flame late July 4.