Lindermann Miklas plead guilty

Nicole Linderman

Valley City (CSi)  Nicole Lindermann of Kathryn, North Dakota pleaded guilty, Monday to a felony charge of Conspiracy to Commit Arson and Burglary and  a misdemeanor charge of Theft of Property  for her involvement as an accomplice in burning and burglarizing Faith Lutheran Church in Valley City in  October, of 2013.

Judge James Hovey ordered a pre-sentence investigation, saying  sentencing for Lindermann will be tentatively set in about 90 days from the August 25th hearing.

Linderman could be sentenced to 10 years on the felony Conspiracy to Commit Arson charge and 5 years on the felony Burglary charge.

A misdemeanor charge of theft  carries a sentence of 30 days in jail.

Barnes County State’s Attorney Carl Martineck says Lindermann told authorities that Andrew Miklas broke into the church and stole cash and three bottles of wine. He later returned to the church with a can filled with paint thinner and started three separate fires.

Meanwhile, Andrew Miklas, of Fargo, Monday, entered guilty pleas in a Change of Plea hearing stemming from the October 2013 incident.

A trial for Miklas was called off last week after a plea agreement was reached.

Miklas pleaded guilty to felony Arson, felony endangering by fire or explosion, felony Burglary and a misdemeanor charge of Theft of Property.

Judge Hovey told Miklas that he could be sentenced as a habitual offender meaning the Class “B” felony he faces could be increased from 10 to 20 years and the two Class “C” felony counts could increase from 5 to 10 years in prison.

Defense attorney Steve Mottinger told Judge  Hovey that he is working to get charges his client faces in Nelson and Griggs Counties cleared up before the sentence hearing in Barnes County, Judge Hovey says the sentence hearing will also be set for Miklas be set in 90 days.

Miklas remains in custody in the Barnes County jail. Lindermann is free on her own recognizance according to her bail agreement.