Suspect being evaluated for competency in arson case

By Zach Hagadone
Reader Staff

The next phase in the arson case related to the July 4 fire that leveled the Army Surplus 1 store will come on Aug. 21, when Magistrate Judge Luke Hagelberg is scheduled to preside over a review of the competency evaluation of suspect Jennifer S. Meyer. 

Meyer, 50, of Sandpoint, had been scheduled to sit for a preliminary hearing before Magistrate Judge Justin Julian on July 31, but that hearing was vacated. According to court records, the July 31 hearing was also to include a motion to reduce bail. Hagelberg set a bond of $1 million for Meyer in her first appearance before the court on July 17, citing “great concerns with regard to flight.”

Bonner County Prosecuting Attorney Katie Sherritt said during the July 17 hearing that a search of Meyer’s residence turned up a bag located near the door containing about $1,000, a 9 millimeter handgun and ammunition, $1,200 in silver, vehicle titles, passport, birth certificate and college transcript, among other personal documents.

The booking photo of Jennifer S. Meyer. Photo courtesy BCSO.

The Reader requested a copy of the search warrant from Sandpoint police, but was denied due to the active status of the investigation.

During that initial appearance on July 17, Meyer stated that she wouldn’t participate via a video call from the jail. Hagelberg then ordered that she be brought to the courtroom in person, where she became uncommunicative — placing her head on a table and staying silent throughout the proceeding.

Court records show that Hagelberg will preside over the Aug. 21 competency hearing, which is intended to establish whether Meyer is capable of participating in her own defense.

Meyer is being represented by public defender Catherine Enright.

Investigators announced Meyer as the suspect in the case on July 16, crediting tips from the community and “good old-fashioned police work,” including the review of hours of surveillance footage.

The fire devastated the building that for decades has housed Army Surplus on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Oak Street. Making the blaze even more dramatic — and dangerous — was that it occurred just as the community fireworks display was ending at City Beach, resulting in hundreds of bystanders gathering at the scene. 

A reported $500,000 worth of merchandise was destroyed in the fire, including an unknown amount of ammunition, which exploded in bursts as first responders were working to douse the flames. In addition, many personal belongings of owner Cornel Rasor and his family were being stored in the building. 

If found convicted of first-degree arson, Meyer could face up to 25 years in jail, fines of up to $100,000 or both.