Kalispell man pleads guilty to negligent arson

A man charged in an arson that destroyed tens of thousands of dollars of merchandise at a Kalispell business in 2018 pleaded guilty in Flathead District Court to the offense.

Arnold Wayne Deans, 45, of Kalispell, agreed to plead guilty to a felony count of negligent arson and one misdemeanor count of theft. While sentencing won’t be held until Feb. 21, Deans is facing a term of seven years, four suspended, for both crimes. In addition, he must serve three years on a previous suspended sentence from a prior guilty plea to possessing methamphetamine.

Deans said he will seek drug treatment while in jail. The Flathead County Attorney’s Office is expected to seek restitution for the goods that were destroyed in the fire.

The charges stemmed from a fire that occurred at 2:30 a.m. Thursday, April 19, at Rick Anderson’s Snow Jobs and Dirt Stuff on Center Street.

According to Kalispell Police Department Detective Jim Wardensky, the blaze caused at least $50,000 in damage to snowmobiles, four-wheelers and other off-road vehicles parked at the property.

Wardensky interviewed Deans last May, during which time Deans said he called another man for a ride so he could get gas for a truck. Deans said he was using his lighter while trying to siphon gas from a snowmobile and the fumes from the gas must have ignited.

Deans faces a maximum term of 20 years in the Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine on the arson charge.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com