Former Press Bar and Parlor Owner Pleads Guilty to Federal Arson Charges

(KNSI) — The former owner of the Press Bar and Parlor downtown St. Cloud has pled guilty to one count of arson.

According to U.S. Attorney Andy Luger, Andrew Welsh pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court to intentionally torching the Press as part of an insurance scheme.

Firefighters were called to the Press in the early morning hours of February 17th, 2020, after residents living in the building next door reported seeing smoke out of their windows. Court documents say Welsh dumped an accelerant all over his basement office before setting it ablaze and fleeing the scene. The fire ultimately destroyed the building and heavily damaged other nearby businesses.

See the video from the fire by clicking here.

Luger says on February 24th, Welsh hired a Public Insurance Adjuster to assist in preparing, presenting, and adjusting claims connected to the fire. Two days later, Welsh claimed he was due $1,430,123.28 for property damage and other losses using the adjuster. He says Welsh admitted he lied when he submitted the claim saying “said loss did not originate by any act, design, or procurement on the part of your insured.”

The case was investigated by the St. Cloud Police Department, St. Cloud Fire Department, State Fire Marshals, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The Stearns County Attorney’s Office assisted them.

Welsh was charged with arson in state court before being federally indicted on arson and wire fraud charges in December of 2020.

A sentencing date has not been set.

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