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Felony charges have been filed against a 34-year-old Albertville resident, who prosecutors allege was responsible for the fire in Fish Lake Township June 4 that caused the death of Charles Stene, 69, and left Amy Christine Nord, 42, who was in the victim’s houme, with severe burns.  

Defendant Dallas Evenstad made his first court appearance Thursday, June 8.  His bail is $2 million.  The next court date is for June 22, which will be Evenstad’s birthday.

Investigators reported the two victims were in bed in the rural home off Cambridge Drive, and awoke to a man in the room, who they both knew to be an acquaintance of the deceased’s daughter.  The authorities were advised this supect knew the layout of the house. 

According to the criminal complaint gasoline was poured and the suspect used a lighter to start the fire.  This happened about 3 a.m.  The female had to drive to a neighbor’s house to use the phone informing authorities the fire had been set deliberately.

The Chisago County Attorney’s Office said the defendant Dallas Evenstad, 34, was identified by the victims and named as a potential suspect by his acquainatnce— the daughter of the man who died. 

He was apprehended  not wearing a shirt— around 5 a.m. by Crosby Police and Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office, following up on a Chisago County alert.  Crow Wing had a warrant for a report of receiving stolen property (car theft)  and Evenstad reportedly was in possession of a stolen Camry for transportation.  In the Camry authorities recovered a shirt that smelled of gasoline and lighter.

The second degree murder charge carries a 40 year maximum sentence and the assaults charges, also felonies, could result in a 20 year sentence.

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