Mason City man pleads not guilty to arson

MASON CITY — A Mason City man has pleaded not guilty to a first-degree arson charge.

A criminal complaint accuses 25-year-old Curtis Anderson Junior of causing a fire to a vehicle with the intent to destroy or damage property. The complaint says the presence of people could be reasonably anticipated near the vehicle as it was parked in very close proximity to two occupied residences in the 1000 block of North Jersey in the early morning hours of February 5th of this year.

A first-degree arson charge was made against Anderson in May, but authorities were not able to execute a search warrant until earlier this month.

Anderson was due in court for his arraignment hearing today, but court records show he filed a written plea of not guilty on Friday in Cerro Gordo County District Court. His trial is scheduled to start on January 14th.

First-degree arson is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 25 years in prison. Anderson continues to be held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $25,000 cash-only bond.