Nett Lake Man Sentenced for Setting Fire to the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Center

A 21-year-old Nett Lake man was sentenced today in federal court in St. Paul for setting fire to the Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Center on July 20, 2009. United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced William Lynn Isham to 41 months in prison on one count of arson. Isham was indicted on August 12, 2009, and pleaded guilty on November 16, 2009. In his plea agreement, Isham admitted he intentionally set fire to the Reservation’s Tribal Center.

According to a Federal Bureau of Investigation affidavit, members of the Nett Lake and Orr fire departments responded to a fire call at the Center shortly after three a.m. on July 20. Upon their arrival, they saw a vehicle completely engulfed in flames in front of the building. They also saw intense smoke and firing spreading throughout the building itself. The fire appeared to have been started at the rear of the structure. The State of Minnesota Fire Marshal later ruled that both the vehicle fire and the building fire were intentionally started.

Two witnesses told authorities that earlier in the evening, Isham spoke about wanting to burn down the center. Isham then disappeared and later returned, bragging about setting fire to the vehicle and the building. On July 28, 2009, Isham was recorded making similar statements.

This case was the result of an investigation by the FBI, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Bois Forte Tribal Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw.