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LAKE BENTON -- A member of the Lake Benton Fire Department was charged with arson this week, in connection with a fire at a Lake Benton bar building in July.
The Buffalo Ridge Drug and Violent Crime Task Force said agents arrested Jameson John Vermaat, 39, on Thursday, and brought him to the Lincoln County Jail. Charges of felony criminal property damage and second degree arson were filed against Vermaat Thursday in Lincoln County District court. Vermaat appeared in custody in Lincoln County court on Thursday, court records said. A future hearing date was set for Nov. 19.
On July 21, a fire was reported at Homer's Bar, located on Center Street in Lake Benton. Fire departments from Lake Benton, Tyler and Pipestone responded to the call.
The criminal complaint against Vermaat alleges that a sheriff's deputy responding to the fire call found the back door of the building unlocked. The complaint alleges that a later investigation by the Minnesota State Fire Marshal's Office and the Buffalo Ridge Task Force found the bar's rear patio door had been forced open. Investigators also found two ignition spots in the basement, one of which had piled items like cardboard, paper and a burnt patio umbrella, the complaint alleges.
The complaint alleges Vermaat told law enforcement he broke into the bar the night before the fire call, and lit cardboard and papers in the basement on fire.
Vermaat was a member of the Lake Benton Fire Department and had participated in the emergency response to the fire, the Buffalo Ridge Task Force said in a Thursday news release.
At Thursday's hearing, bail for Vermaat was set at $45,000 without conditions, or $30,000 bond or $3,000 cash with conditions including that he appear in court, stay in Minnesota, and have no contact with the owner of the bar building.
A hearing was set for Nov. 19.