A Hamilton County man has pleaded guilty to lighting the fire that burned his family’s house down in January.

Cody Christensen, 28, submitted a written plea of guilty to third-degree arson and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon in Hamilton County District Court. Both charges are aggravated misdemeanors. He was originally charged with second-degree arson, class C felony, and interference with official acts, a class D felony.

Christensen admitted starting the fire that ultimately destroyed the home at 2158 360th Street, Stanhope.

As a result, the court sentenced him to prison for two years on each count, but suspended the sentence as part of the agreement. Christensen will also have to pay an undetermined restitution and court costs.

Hamilton County Sheriff Alex Pruismann reported the crime in a media release immediately after it happened.

“At 2:21 p.m., the Hamilton County dispatch center received an emergency 911 call about a house on fire. The residence is located at 2158 360th Street, Stanhope,” the media release stated. “When law enforcement arrived on scene, the residence was observed to be fully engulfed.

Pruismann said later, “The only thing left standing was the chimney.”

The property was owned by John M. Christensen, according to the Hamilton County Assessor’s online records.

“Deputies observed multiple people on the property. One male stated, ‘There is a guy with a gun and he appears to be intoxicated,'” the sheriff reported.

“Law enforcement observed a male on the property with a shotgun in hand, actively drinking what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage. Deputies on scene attempted to communicate with the subject and demanded the subject drop the gun. The male did not comply and stated, ‘go home.’

“The male also stated, ‘no one else is in the house.’ It was known that he had multiple firearms on him or near him within close proximity.

“At this time, first arriving deputies requested additional units and had all fire units stand by near the scene for safety purposes. During this time, law enforcement again attempted negotiations and were not successful.

“A short while later a Hamilton County deputy was able to make contact with the male and communicate in close proximity with him. The male was identified as Cody Christensen. Cody lived at this residence. At 3:13 p.m., Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other law enforcement personnel were able to apprehend the subject.”