Polson woman admits to setting carport fire

Judge Molly Owen set a sentencing of Feb. 26 for a Polson woman who admitted to intentionally setting a fire in the carport of a Polson residence. Shyann Brook Crabtree, 27, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson Jan. 8 to felony negligent arson.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement that calls for Crabtree being committed to the Montana Department of Corrections for five years, with two years suspended. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, on Oct. 13, 2024, Polson Police responded to a debris fire on 13th Ave. W. A woman at the scene told the responding officer that Crabtree was there earlier and was asked to leave. Another witness at the scene told the officer that Crabtree had threatened to burn the house down.

A neighbor’s video surveillance captured video of the incident, which appears to show Crabtree ignite a debris pile that was next to a propane tank before leaving. It also showed occupants of the residence attempt to extinguish the fire with a bucket of water.

Crabtree’s public defender, Dustin Allen, requested his client be released on her own recognizance until sentencing. Lake County Attorney James Lapokta objected, arguing that Crabtree had a serious drug problem.

He had also objected to an earlier request that the woman be released on her own recognizance saying the fire was set at an occupied residence, and that someone could have died.

She remains incarcerated at the Lake County Jail with bail set at $75,000.