Kellogg arsonist gets rider, possible prison time

WALLACE – The man responsible for starting close to 20 different fires across eastern Kellogg last summer received his sentence at Tuesday’s Law Day.

The Shoshone County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reports that Daniel R. Robinson, 46, of Kellogg was handed a unified 4-year prison sentence (2-years fixed, 2-years indeterminate) and placed on the retained jurisdiction program after pleading guilty to a third degree felony arson charge.

The arson charge that Robinson plead guilty to in May of 2019 stems from his involvement in the ignition of a series of wildfires in Kellogg on the night of August 20, 2018- collectively known as the Morning Star Fire(s).

It was determined that the total area burned was contained to less than one acre in size– over one mile in walking distance.

Based on several hours of camera footage of the affected areas and physical evidence recovered from the scenes of the fires, a collaborative agency investigation by the Kellogg Police Department, Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, Shoshone County Fire District #2 and the Idaho Department of Lands was able to tie Robinson to the crime and make him the primary suspect.

It is believed that alcohol consumption was a prime motivator for Robinson’s actions that night.

County Prosecuting Attorney Keisha Oxendine stated in a news release that the cooperation of local businesses aided in the investigation, as numerous surveillance cameras were identified with potential footage along the route of the fires.

“The footage from these cameras was critical in providing context to other evidence secured by investigators, including information that Robinson was likely drinking at the time of the offense which coincided with evidence collected from the fire scenes,” she said. “Once Robinson was identified, his interview revealed numerous inconsistencies including an alibi investigators determined to be false.”

Robinson was taken into custody on April 23, 2019 by SCSO Detective Jeff Lee after he rode past Lee on a bicycle while Lee was in the middle of an unrelated traffic stop in Smelterville.

Law enforcement suspected Robinson of starting the Morning Star Fire(s) not long after the incident, but failed to make an arrest before he left the Silver Valley and evaded capture.

At Robinson’s sentencing on Sept. 16, the Prosecutor’s Office highlighted the potential consequences of Robinson’s disregard for the property of others.

“The actions of the defendant in this case certainly could have been much more devastating given the dry conditions during August 2018, but luckily, fast response by law enforcement and fire personnel prevented such devastation,” Chief Deputy Prosecutor Benjamin Allen said.

Following his sentencing by District Judge Scott Wayman, Robinson was remanded into custody and will serve an indeterminate period with the Idaho Department of Corrections on the retained jurisdiction program to engage in programs to address any substance abuse and criminal thinking issues. If he fails to complete the program, Robinson will serve his given prison sentence.

The State is also seeking restitution for damages resulting from the fires.

Oxendine was thankful for the assistance her office received throughout the whole process.

“Our community is lucky to have great collaboration between local law enforcement, fire personnel, and the Idaho Department of Lands. Without this collaboration in cases like these and others, the solvability of the crime diminishes as time goes on. The quick response in this case, and these agencies working together, led to an arrest that protects our community.”

According to ICourt, Robinson has a significant criminal history in Shoshone County dating back to 2006 that involves trespassing, resisting officers, battery, use or possession of drug paraphernalia and drivers license violations. He also was found guilty of attempted strangulation in Kootenai County in 2014.