FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 16, 2003

Minneapolis - A Northfield man who started fires at fast food restaurants where he once had been employed pled guilty today in United States District Court to arson.

Shane Patrick Brenny, age 24, pled guilty to one count of arson for the June 16, 2002 fire at the Northfield Burger King. He entered his plea before Judge John Tunheim in Minneapolis.

During his guilty plea hearing, Brenny also admitted to starting three additional arson fires at other Northfield fast food restaurants. Specifically, Brenny admitted to the September 5, 2000 arson fire at Hardees Restaurant and to the August 13, 2001 and October 14, 2001 arson fires at McDonalds Restaurant.

According to a criminal complaint filed earlier in the case, at approximately 10:23 p.m. on June 16, 2002, the Northfield Police Department and the Northfield Fire Department were dispatched to a reported fire at the Burger King. Upon arrival, police officers observed the rear interior of the restaurant on fire. Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire. An investigation by the Northfield Police Department and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division determined that the fire was intentionally set using a flammable liquid.

Brenny faces a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence will be determined by Judge Tunheim based on the federal sentencing guidelines. A sentencing date has not been set.

The case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bridgid Dowdal.