Gwinn man faces murder and arson charges in K.I. Sawyer fire
K.A. SAWYER — An arson death that took place a few months back has now been changed to a murder investigation and a suspect has been arrested. A Gwinn man is charged with two felonies: murder and arson in connection with a fatal fire in K.I. Sawyer.
45–year–old Steven Zintman was arrested by Forsyth Township Police after a lengthy investigation. He was arraigned this morning in Marquette County District Court. The fire occurred in the early morning hours on May 4 at 609 Valkyrie Street. One of the residents, Sally Plume, died in the fire. Some neighbors say the arrest wasn’t too much of a surprise.
“He had a hundred different stories so I knew something wasn’t quite right, so I suspected foul play. Pretty much the whole neighborhood has been waiting”
Zintman is lodged in the Marquette County Jail on a 2 million dollar cash bond and is scheduled to appear in court November 4. Zintman could face life in prison on both the murder and arson charges.
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K.I. SAWYER — A Gwinn man has been arraigned on two felony counts in connection with a fire at K.I. Sawyer in May.
45-year-old Steven Scott Zintman was arraigned in Marquette County District Court Monday morning on charges of Homicide – Felony Murder and First Degree Arson in connection with a fire at 609 Valkyrie Street. Forsyth Township Police say Zintman was arrested after a lengthy investigation by their department, the Michigan State Police Fire Marshal, and troopers from the Michigan State Police Forensic Lab in Marquette. The fire occurred shortly before 1 a.m. May 4th, resulting in the death of Sally Plume.
Zintman is lodged in the Marquette County Jail on a $2,000,000 cash bond. He is scheduled for a preliminary exam in Marquette County District Court November 3rd at 9:45 a.m. The charge of felony murder carries the sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. First degree arson carries a sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.
The Forsyth Township Police Department would like to thank the Michigan State Police for their expertise and assistance in the investigation. They also extend gratitude to the Forsyth Township Fire Department and EMS crews for their work in the matter.