Man pleads not guilty to arson
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A Polson man is accused of intentionally setting his ex-girlfriend’s camper on fire. Samual Aaron Mahkuk, 31, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on June 17 to felony arson. The camper’s value was estimated at $7,000.
According to court records, on May 29, Polson police and Polson fire crews responded to a report of a camper on fire. At the scene, witnesses told police that Mahkuk allegedly threatened to burn the camper multiple times in the past. Witnesses also said the suspect had been bothering the woman who lives in the camper and her dad who was the registered owner of the camper.
Another witness reported seeing Mahkuk knock on the door of the camper and leave in a red Mazda right before the fire started. When interviewed by police, Mahkuk admitted to being in a red car that night.
Judge Deborah “Kim” Christopher set a trial date of Feb. 7, 2022. Mahkuk remains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $100,000.
