Mason City Woman Gets Suspended Jail Sentence, Probation for Fire at Swimming Pool
It’s a suspended jail sentence for a north Iowa woman originally charged with arson after being accused of starting a fire at a municipal swimming pool.
The Mason City Fire Department was called to the Mason City Family Aquatic Center the morning of August 1st and found a small outside fire that was quickly extinguished. New graffiti was noted by firefighters along with liquids poured on the concrete.
47-year-old Erin Gansen of Mason City was accused of starting a fire next to the door of the pool house entrance, as well as putting motor oil outside the chemical house, and super glue in the locks of the doors.
Gansen was arrested a short time after the incident and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on charges of first-degree arson, a Class B felony, plus possession of marijuana and fourth-degree criminal mischief.
In a plea agreement, Gansen pleaded guilty to reckless use of fire or explosives and fourth-degree criminal mischief, serious misdemeanors.
According to the terms of the plea deal, prosecutors recommended Gansen be sentenced on reckless use of fire to one year in jail with all but 21 days suspended and be placed on two years probation. She was also to receive a suspended one-year jail sentence for criminal mischief, and pay restitution.
That recommendation was accepted by District Associate Judge Adam Sauer during a sentencing hearing last week (10.08) in Cerro Gordo County District Court.
