Valentine Pleads Guilty to Albertville Arson

, the Otsego man arrested in connection to a March 16 fire at Stan's Storage in Albertville, has entered a guilty plea to second-degree arson in Wright County court. 

Valentine made his plea Thursday, Aug. 18, at what was to be his omnibus hearing. He will now await sentencing, which is scheduled for Oct. 4, 2011. Judge Jonathan A. Jasper will be president over that hearing.

he call came in around 1:50 a.m. Wednesday, March 16, after a deputy spotted the fire, said Albertville Fire Chief Tate Mills. When crews arrived, several units were "fully involved" and the men had to scramble to keep the fire from spreading. 

The building, which consisted mostly of sheet metal and no insulation to speak of, burned hot. Firefighters who weren't knocking down flames braved the heat to enter units and tried to rescue what was inside, including a small boat, furniture and toys. 

Officials almost immediately declared the area a crime scene.

Valentine has been released on his own recognizance. He does have a criteria of conditions to his release, including:

-$25,000 bond

- Do not enter victim's residence
- Contact with probation
- Do not leave Minnesota without written court approval
- No alcohol/controlled substance use
- No contact with victim(s)
- No possession of alcohol or drugs
- Random testing
- Released on own recognizance
- Remain law-abiding
- Make all future court appearances
- Do not enter additional locations

The maximum sentence for second-degree arson is five years and/or $10,000 fine, according to Minnesota law.