Bemidji Man Sentenced In January Arson Case

A Bemidji man has been sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in prison after intentionally setting a home on fire. Damian Patrick Joseph Smith, 20, was charged with arson back in January. He is accused of starting a fire at a house located at 722 Sunset Way on January 1, 2018. He pled guilty to the crime in March.

The couple who owns the home told police that Smith was an acquaintance of their grandson and arrived late on January 1st looking for a place to stay for that night, and the couple agreed to allow him to stay temporarily.

According to the criminal complaint in the case, Smith told investigators that he intentionally started the curtains in the house on fire and knew that the house would burn down if the fire was not extinguished.

Smith informed deputies that he started the fire because of a comment made by one of the homeowners.