MASON CITY — Former Forest City police officer Thaddeus Ellenbecker was found guilty of second-degree arson and second-degree burglary Friday afternoon in district court in Mason City.
Ellenbecker, 35, was charged with arson in the Oct. 1, 2011, fire which extensively damaged the Forest City police station.
He was also charged with burglary in connection with the Nov. 19, 2010, theft of a Smith and Wesson AR-15 assault rifle from the squad car of former Forest City Police Officer Carrie Seiberlich.
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Ellenbecker leaned back in his chair as the verdicts were read. Once they were completed, he turned to a large group of supporters seated behind him and mouthed an expletive. He showed no other reaction to the verdicts.
In confessions to agents with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Ellenbecker admitted starting the fire and stealing the rifle to protest what he considered to be mismanagement of the Forest City Police Department. He also believed former Officer Seiberlich was unfit to be a police officer.
“I wasn’t surprised by the verdicts,” said Forest City Police Chief Dan Davis. “I think it’s a good outcome. It’s what we expected.”
Davis added that the decision allows everyone in the department to have some closure and move on.
District Judge DeDra Schroeder announced the verdicts after presiding over separate bench trials on each count in Winnebago County District Court.
A bench trial means the case was heard before a judge and not a jury.
Both charges are Class C felonies.
Conviction of a Class C felony is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Sentencing on both counts has been set for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, in Winnebago County District Court in Forest City.
Ellenbecker remains free on bond pending sentencing.
