North Iowa Woman Takes Plea Deal in Arson Case Involving Municipal Swimming Pool

A north Iowa woman, charged with arson after she was accused of starting a fire last month at a municipal swimming pool, has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge.

The Mason City Fire Department says they were called just after 8:30 am on August 1st to the Mason City Family Aquatic Center, where they found a small outside fire that was quickly extinguished. New graffiti was also noted by firefighters along with liquids poured on the concrete.

A criminal complaint accuses 47-year-old Erin Gansen of Mason City of starting a fire next to the door of the pool house entrance. She also allegedly put motor oil outside of the chemical house and put super glue in the locks of the doors. 

Gansen was arrested shortly after the incident and booked into the Cerro Gordo County Jail on charges of first-degree arson, a Class B felony, as well as possession of marijuana and fourth-degree criminal mischief.

Gansen originally pleaded not guilty and was due in Cerro Gordo County District Court for a pre-trial conference. However, court records show that, as part of a plea agreement, she has pleaded guilty to charges of reckless use of fire or explosives and fourth-degree criminal mischief, both serious misdemeanors.

Terms of the plea deal recommend that Gansen be sentenced for reckless use of fire to one year in jail with all but 21 days suspended and be placed on two years probation. She would get a suspended one-year jail sentence on the criminal mischief charge and is expected to pay restitution.

Gansen, a former marketing director for Floyd County Medical Center,  is scheduled to be sentenced on October 8th.