The man accused of burning his rural Stanhope home in January will face a jury trial on April 8 in Hamilton County.

Cody Christensen, 28, is charged with second-degree arson and interference with official acts.

Christensen is accused of starting the fire that ultimately destroyed the home at 2158 360th Street, Stanhope.

He filed a written plea of not guilty Tuesday in district court in Hamilton County and has been released from the Hamilton County Jail to CFR to complete inpatient treatment, according to online court documents.

“At 2:21 p.m., the Hamilton County dispatch center received an emergency 911 call about a house on fire. The residence is located at 2158 360th Street, Stanhope,” Hamilton County Sheriff Alex Pruismann said in a media release. “When law enforcement arrived on scene, the residence was observed to be fully engulfed.

Pruismann said later, “The only thing left standing was the chimney.”

The property is owned by John M. Christensen, according to the Hamilton County Assessor’s online records.

“Deputies observed multiple people on the property. One male stated, ‘There is a guy with a gun and he appears to be intoxicated,'” the sheriff reported.

“Law enforcement observed a male on the property with a shotgun in hand, actively drinking what appeared to be an alcoholic beverage. Deputies on scene attempted to communicate with the subject and demanded the subject drop the gun. The male did not comply and stated, ‘go home.’

“The male also stated, ‘no one else is in the house.’ It was known that he had multiple firearms on him or near him within close proximity.

“At this time, first arriving deputies requested additional units and had all fire units stand by near the scene for safety purposes. During this time, law enforcement again attempted negotiations and were not successful.

“A short while later a Hamilton County deputy was able to make contact with the male and communicate in close proximity with him.

“The male was identified as Cody Christensen. Cody lived at this residence. At 3:13 p.m., Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other law enforcement personnel were able to apprehend the subject.

“At no time did the subject point a weapon at law enforcement, fire personnel or other individuals.

“Cody Christensen was placed under arrest and transported to the Hamilton County Jail.”

Second-degree arson is a class C felony; interference with official acts is a class D felony. A class C felony can result in up to 10 years in prison and a fine; a class D felony can result in up to five years in prison and a fine.