Woman Convicted for 2022 Northeast Iowa Arson Sentenced to 25 Years in Iowa Prison
A woman convicted last fall of felony arson in Northeast Iowa could spend over two decades in an Iowa prison…after she completes her prison time in Minnesota.
Last November (11.19.24), an Allamakee County jury found 44-year-old Mindy Jones guilty of first-degree arson, a Class B felony, and animal abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor, for setting fire to her Waukon business, Tin, Rust and Harmony, on February 13, 2022. The blaze destroyed Jones’ building, heavily damaged an adjacent building, and a dog died in the fire.
An investigation by the State Fire Marshal determined Jones was present at the time the fire started and she intentionally started the fire to collect on insurance money.
Monday (02.03), Allamakee County District Court Judge Laura Parrish sentenced Jones to serve up to 25 years in prison for arson and two years for the death of the dog, to be served concurrently. She must also serve at least 70% of her sentence, or 17.5 years behind bars, before being eligible for parole.
However, Jones’ prison time in Iowa won’t begin until after she completes her prison time for her crimes in Minnesota. Thus, Jones will be returned to the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee, Minnesota, where she’s been serving time for convictions including theft, theft by swindle, issuing a dishonored check, and felony check forgery.
Last October, she was sentenced to two years and three months in prison in Minnesota.
Tuesday (02.04), Jones filed an appeal from the Judgment and Sentence of her case to the Supreme Court of Iowa.
