Kellogg man pleads guilty to arson

A Kellogg man pleaded guilty Tuesday to an arson charge in a fire that gutted the Shoshone News-Press building last year.

Douglas Burmeister, 21, entered a change of plea to guilty to the charges of first-degree felony arson and misdemeanor driving under the influence.

In exchange, the state dropped one charge of felony burglary, one charge of misdemeanor resisting an officer and one charge of misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.

The Feb. 8 trial has been vacated and sentencing is set for April 4.

Maximum penalty for the felony arson charge is 25 years with up to a $100,000 fine. For the misdemeanor driving under the influence charge, Burmeister may be sentenced to jail for a term not to exceed six months and a fine not to exceed $1,000.

Lexington Insurance Company is also seeking restitution in this case in the amount of $450,493.44.

Burmeister was arrested Sept. 23 after an early morning fire at the News-Press office, 401 Main St. in Kellogg.