NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 2, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Chelsie Hollencamp
218-726-2323 or hollencampc@stlouiscountymn.gov
Michael David Nelson Kunnari Sentenced for Attempted Arson
Court file #69VI-CR-26-622
Virginia, MN. The Honorable Michelle Anderson sentenced Micheal David Nelson Kunnari, 45, of Duluth, to 28.5 months in prison for attempted First-Degree Arson following an incident at Brimson Sportsmen’s Corner in St. Louis County, announced St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki.
Judge Anderson denied Mr. Kunnari’s request for a non-prison sentence, denying his motion for a downward dispositional departure from the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. Instead, Judge Anderson imposed the maximum sentence within the guideline range, as requested by the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office. Under Minnesota’s Sentencing Guidelines, a person convicted of First-Degree Arson, with no prior criminal history, receives a presumptive sentence of 41-57 months. However, because Mr. Kunnari’s arson attempt was not successful, the applicable range was reduced by half, by operation of law, to 20.5-28.5 months. The court also ordered $826.50 in restitution for damage caused by the crime.
On June 27, 2026, Mr. Kunnari entered the Brimson Sportsmen’s Corner bait shop carrying a container filled with gasoline and confronted the owner about his prior criminal convictions. Mr. Kunnari then poured gasoline inside the business and attempted to ignite a tissue with a lighter before being stopped by the owner, who subsequently chased him from the building with a bat.
The incident was motivated the business owner’s previous criminal convictions involving child sexual abuse material. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office also prosecuted that case, which resulted in convictions in 2024 (Court File Number 69DU-CR-23-1522).
“No one has the right to take the law into their own hands, regardless of another’s past criminal history,” said St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki. “While the business owner’s previous conduct was serious and concerning, it was prosecuted and handled through the justice system. No one is above the law, and no one is entitled to replace the justice system with their own acts of violence.”
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office thanks the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office for its investigation and response.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant St. Louis County Attorney Aaron Welch.
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