RELEASE
OFFICE OF THE U.S. ATTORNEY
DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
For Immediate Release
Thursday, February 20, 2003
Thomas B. Heffelfinger,
United States Attorney (612) 664-5600
Karen Bailey, Media Coordinator (612)
664-5610
David J. MacLaughlin, Assistant United States Attorney (612) 664-5600
John
Andrew Mataya Pled Guilty
St. Paul, MN - Thirty-two-year-old John Andrew Mataya of Red Wing, MN pled guilty today in United States District Court to arson. Mataya entered his plea before Judge Donovan Frank in St. Paul.
During his guilty plea hearing, Mataya admitted that on June 5, 2002 he started a fire that destroyed a commercial building on Tyler Drive in Red Wing that housed Ripley’s Rental and River City Flooring. The fire caused monetary losses of $889,565.64.
Mataya faces a mandatory minimum of five years and up to 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Frank based on the federal sentencing guidelines. A sentencing date has not been set. Mataya continues to be held without bond.
The case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David J. MacLaughlin.
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