Accused Bemidji Arsonist Released From Jail

A Bemidji man accused of arson was released yesterday from the Beltrami County Jail.

Michael James Durant, 33, is charged with first-degree arson for setting a mattress on fire inside a mobile home at the 14500 block of Roosevelt Road SE , according to the Bemidji Pioneer. The mobile home had belonged to Durant’s deceased mother.

According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Durant’s public defender Laura Dahl and the Beltrami County Attorney’s Office recommended Durant be released while they worked together for a resolution.

Durant was arrested September 29th, after a female relative and her boyfriend found the fire. Durant was found outside of the mobile home and reported to deputies that he had been upset and the fire was intentional, according to The Pioneer.

Wyatt Arneson, the attorney prosecuting Durant, was not made available for comment and did not respond to further requests at this time. Laura Dahl, Durant’s public defender, has not responded to requests for comment as well.

Durant will appear in court November 14th, 2016.

Terms of his release were not specified by the Beltrami County Jail.