Jay Ervin Frank Becker retracted his not guilty plea in connection with a fire at Interstate Packaging, Inc.

Wednesday, October 24, 2001

Jay Ervin Frank Becker retracted his not guilty plea in connection with a fire at Interstate Packaging, Inc. and pleaded guilty for first degree aiding and abetting arson.

Becker is one of two former IPI employees arrested after the fire on May 4.

According to a criminal complaint, Becker, 26, of 803 Ramsey St., and Randy Allen Merrill, 29, of 512 Larimore Circle, broke in IPI at 1851 Margaretha and ignited a pile of cardboard boxes with a wick soaked with rubbing alcohol.

The company filed $788,344.60 as the total cost resulting from the fire. The automated sprinkler system activated by the fire exacerbated the loss.

Merrill was found guilty of first-degree arson and sentenced to 68 months in prison September.

Becker was originally charged with first-degree arson and two other counts.

In July Becker pleaded not guilty to all counts, questioning the validity of investigation. But on Tuesday he changed the allegation and agreed to enter the guilty plea to the first-degree aiding and abetting arson.

The district court ordered Becker to be held in custody at Freeborn County Jail. Sentencing is scheduled on Dec. 10.