A Suring man pleaded no contest and was found guilty of arson in Oconto County Court on Monday, just one of several charges that stem from an arson spree from 2009-2012 that has landed him in three court systems.
Judge Jay Conley accepted Drew Christensen’s plea agreement and found him guilty of two counts of arson. Christensen set fire to a trailer home belonging to Michael Borchradt, Kristine Trojan and Kenneth Trojan in August 2011 and a garage belonging to Dennis Lasky in January 2012, both in the town of Bagley.
Sentencing is set for Nov. 18, just days after Christensen, 28, is scheduled to be sentenced for other arson charges in federal court and Marinette County Circuit Court. In the Oconto County case, Christensen faces maximum sentences of 40 years in prison and $100,000 fines on each count.
Attorney Tricia Nell said her client takes responsibility for the crimes and will prepare letters of apology to be sent to the victims.
“He’s been pretty cooperative with every single step of the way and is willing to work to pay off the restitution for every single case,” she said.
Judge Jay Conley painstakingly reviewed the charges and plea questionnaire submitted by Christensen and his attorney, asking if Christensen understood the consequences of the plea agreement.
“You’re charged with arson of a building. That is a very serious offense. It’s a felony offense,” Conley said.
With a steady voice Christensen responded, “Yes, your honor,” to all of Conley’s questions.
On Thursday, Christensen pleaded no contest to arson with intent to defraud in Marinette County Circuit Court, for conspiring with Jessica Miller and Donald Halbur Jr. to burn down Miller’s town of Stephenson home and collect the insurance money to purchase a bar. Christensen’s sentencing in Marinette County Court is Nov. 14.
Christensen is scheduled to testify against Miller and Halbur at their trial in Marinette, which is set for Aug. 20.
The couple is scheduled for trial in federal court on Nov. 4, and Christensen is scheduled to testify about the couple’s alleged role in a tavern fire, if the case goes to trial. Christensen said Halbur asked him to burn the Jaded Bar, owned by Miller, so he and Miller could collect the insurance money.
Christensen in May was found guilty of setting fire to the tavern and to Klondike Community Church and a resort bar in Mountain. His sentencing in federal court is Nov. 13.
Nell said it is likely Christensen will be sentenced to 10 years in prison for the federal offenses, and state sentences will either run consecutive or concurrent to this.
Christensen, formerly a firefighter for the town of Brazeau, has been in custody since October 2012.
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