Bemidji armed robber sentenced to seven years

BEMIDJI -- A Bemidji man was convicted of first-degree burglary with a dangerous weapon and first-degree aggravated robbery in Beltrami County Court on Tuesday.

Michael Todd Fineday Jr., 19, was sentenced to two concurrent 93 month prison sentences for the felony-level offenses. He has been credited with 121 days time served and must pay $100 in fines.

Fineday was arrested in March along with Riley William Burns, 18, of Fosston. According to court documents, the two men wore masks to conceal their identities and forced their way into a Bemidji home on Roosevelt Road SE in search of a person they believed to have marijuana and money. Not finding that person, the pair assaulted one victim and Fineday pointed a handgun at both victims.

Fineday and Burns left the residence with an Xbox, video games, electronics, a cellphone and a pair of shoes in a pillow case. According to court documents, Burns handed the gun to Fineday during the robbery and the gun was later discarded in the snow when they fled the scene. Beltrami County Sheriff's Office deputies later located the handgun.

Fineday and Burns plead guilty to their charges in June. Burns is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 4. First-degree burglary and first-degree aggravated robbery each carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.