WILLMAR -- Nearly six months after his son allegedly started a fire that gutted a Monson Lumber Company building in Hawick, Gary Alvin Scheel was sentenced Thursday for his involvement in the alleged crime.
Scheel, 54, of Belgrade faced liability crimes for aiding his son, Gregory Allen Scheel, 22, of Paynesville, in setting the blaze that destroyed the building. He pleaded guilty to an amended felony charge of aiding an offender Dec. 4 in front of Judge Michael J. Thompson. As part of the plea agreement, the other charges against Scheel were dismissed and the state agreed to ask for a gross misdemeanor sentence.
Thompson sentenced Scheel to a year in jail Thursday, staying all but 60 days of the sentence. Thompson also ordered Scheel to pay a fine of $3,000, but stayed $1,500 of it. Scheel was given credit for five days already spent in jail. He was ordered to begin serving the remainder of his 60-day sentence after his court appearance. The offense carried a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
The Scheels were charged criminally after four individuals in Hawick identified them as suspects in the blaze, which started around 5:40 a.m. on July 29.
The foursome allegedly spotted Greg Scheel walking through the lumber yard with a large box. Greg Scheel allegedly fled the men on foot, dropping the box in the process. He ran into a nearby field where he allegedly flagged down his father. The two then allegedly drove toward New London.
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Further investigation determined the fire was started in the employee break room by using newspaper, magazines and gloves. No new court date has been scheduled for Greg Scheel, who is facing charges of second-degree arson and burglary and a third count of theft.
He appeared in court for an omnibus hearing Oct. 16. The file was taken under advisement Nov. 13 with an omnibus order due Feb. 11.
