Second Albert Lea arson suspect pleads guilty

By KAALTV
Kolton Lee Wright / Freeborn County Jail Roster

(ABC 6 News) – A second Albert Lea arson suspect entered a guilty plea in court Friday, March 1.

Kolten Lee Wright, 19, was arrested last fall in connection with an Oct. 6 garage fire that caused nearly $13,000 in damages.

RELATED: One arrested in connection with suspicious fire – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com

He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting 1st-degree arson with no sentencing agreement.

Wright’s co-defendant, Hailey Merrill, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of 2nd-degree arson and was sentenced to 4 months in jail last week.

RELATED: One Albert Lea arson suspect sentenced to 4 months in jail; others to appear March 1 for pretrials – ABC 6 News – kaaltv.com

Wright’s sentencing is scheduled for May 9.

The third adult co-defendant in the case, Kaden James Ashenfelter, did not amend his plea Friday. His trial on a single charge of aiding and abetting 1st-degree arson is scheduled to begin March 14.