Jay Ervin Frank Becker, accused of being involved in the fire that damaged Interstate Packaging, Inc.

Saturday, December 22, 2001

Jay Ervin Frank Becker, accused of being involved in the fire that damaged Interstate Packaging, Inc. in May, asked County District Court Judge James Broberg to mitigate a sentence Friday.

Becker is charged with first-degree aiding and abetting arson. He pled guilty, and a sentencing committee recommended a 48-month prison term to the court.

According to a criminal complaint, Becker broke into IPI with his cousin Randy Allen Merrill. Both were former employees of the company. Merrill ignited a pile of cardboard boxes using alcohol.

The loss from the fire was almost $800,000. The county court sentenced Merrill to 68 months in prison for first-degree arson.

In Friday’s sentencing hearing, Becker expressed his remorse and pledged to rehabilitate himself by going through a residential-based training program rather than going to the prison.

The program is run by a Twin Cities-based civil organization, and Becker has already been accepted to take it.

Defense attorney Stephen R. Erickson emphasized that Becker did not play an active role in the arson.

Asking the judge to reconsider the sentencing recommendation, Erickson said, &uot;This is a positive approach not only for the defendant, but also for the community.&uot;

The sentence will be given early January.