USMC Recruiter Charged in Bismarck Fires

A U.S. Marine Corps recruiter has been accused of starting small fires in the Bismarck recruiting station from which he works and of fabricating a story about the incident.

The Bismarck Tribune reports Anthony DeGroot, 29, was charged Wednesday with Class B felony arson and Class A misdemeanor false information to law enforcement.

South Central District Judge Bruce Haskell set bond for DeGroot at 10 percent of $5,000 cash.

According to Bismarck Police, a man called 911 at 6:59 p.m. Dec. 26 to report seeing smoke at the Armed Services Recruiting Office on Front Ave., and seeing a man, later identified as DeGroot, exit the building with duct tape around his face and wrist.  In court on Wednesday, DeGroot said he has been in the Marine Corps for 10 years and is a staff sergeant.

Source: Bismarck Tribune

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