Walker man starts Beltrami County Jail cell on fire

BEMIDJI -- A Walker man is facing felony arson charges after he lit his shirt and a mattress on fire in the Beltrami County Jail.

George Skye Tikayne, 20, was arrested for violating conditions of his probation for a second-degree burglary conviction and underage consumption of alcohol on Oct. 6. Tikayne was booked into the Beltrami County Jail and placed in a holding cell. At approximately 5 p.m., he began kicking and pounding on the cell door, according to a criminal complaint.

Corrections officers noticed Tikayne had removed his shirt and was lighting it on fire with a disposable lighter, according to the complaint. Once Tikayne's shirt was on fire he placed it on his cell mattress which quickly ignited, the complaint said. Jail staff restrained Tikayne and extinguished the fire. According to court documents, the mattress was completely destroyed and Tikayne was removed from the cell so smoke and noxious fumes could be abated.

At the time, Tikayne was booked into the jail for violating his probation, he was unruly and escorted to a holding cell by jail staff. Court documents said Tikayne was aware other inmates were in the jail.

A felony first-degree arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $17,500 fine. Tikayne is scheduled to appear in Beltrami County District Court on Monday.

Tikayne's arson charge comes a week after he was released for serving time in the jail for second-degree burglary. The burglary occurred in July. Tikayne was sentenced Sept. 29 to 118 days in the Beltrami County Jail, credited with time served and released. He must pay a $1,000 fine and was placed on five years supervised probation, which he violated by using alcohol, according to court documents.

In addition to Tikayne's criminal case, a civil commitment hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. Beltrami County Attorney Tim Faver explained a judicial commitment petition was filed after jail medical staff observed Tikayne's behavior and recommended he receive medical attention at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center where a deputy was on site to watch over Tikayne. Tikayne has since been released from custody.