Woman Accused in Church Arson Pleaded Guilty Monday

Tina Meyer, who was originally charged with first-degree arson for setting a fire at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in September pleaded guilty to reduced charges Monday.

Meyer pleaded guilty to second-degree arson, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The first-degree arson charge Meyer originally faced carried a 25-year sentence. Meyer also pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mischief, also a Class C felony. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for late January.

Meyer has been in jail since her arrest in September. She requested a bond reduction, which was denied.

Meyer's estranged husband said during a bond review hearing that Tina Meyer would be a danger to herself if she was released from jail.

And Dan Meyer said, that his wife, r, had battled mental health issues for years.

Meyer started a fire at about 9:30 p.m. Sept. 25 in St. Thomas Aquinas Church's second story near a sitting area. A couch and some carpet were burned in the fire, as well as some of Meyer's personal belongings. The fire was quickly extinguished by firefighters. However smoke filled the building leaving a thin film of soot behind there was also some heat damage. An estimated $500,000 in damages was done to the building, but everyone was able to escape the church unharmed, though Meyer did have burns around her feet.

An earlier version of this story contained an error Meyer also pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal mischief.