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Suspect in Monona County Fairgrounds fire pleads not guilty to federal charges
Nick Hytrek
Sioux City Journal
An Onawa man suspected of setting a fire that destroyed the historic grandstand and other buildings at the Monona County Fairgrounds pleaded not guilty Wednesday to federal charges.
David Bryan entered his pleas in U.S. District Court in Sioux City to charges of malicious use of fire, receipt and possession of an unregistered destructive device and making an unregistered destructive device.
Bryan
The 42-year-old was ordered by a judge to remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing next week. His trial was scheduled for Aug. 31.
Initially charged in Monona County, Bryan was indicted by a federal grand jury June 18. He's accused of making and using a Molotov cocktail to start the Jan. 28 fire at the fairgrounds in Onawa.
Firefighters responded to the fairgrounds that evening after a fire was reported at the timber grandstand. The structure, which was at least 120 years old, was destroyed, as were the attached Farm Bureau building and the permanent food stand building beneath the grandstand. An adjacent building housing public restrooms and the fair's office also was damaged. Damage is estimated at $750,000.
Bryan was arrested Feb. 3 and charged in Monona County District Court with second-degree arson and first-degree criminal mischief. The case was dismissed after he was indicted in federal court.
A fire at the Monona County Fairgrounds on Jan. 28, 202,=5, in
Onawa destroyed the historic grandstand. David Bryan, who was
arrested on suspicion of setting the fire, pleaded not guilty to
three charges Wednesday, July 1, 2026, in federal court.
Jared McNett, Sioux City Journal
According to court documents, Bryan was seen in surveillance camera footage walking toward the fairgrounds entrance at 5:49 p.m. the evening of the fire and then walking away at 5:58 p.m. The fire was reported at 6:11 p.m. No other people were seen on camera in the fairgrounds during that time.
Bryan was identified wearing the same clothing from camera footage at the Monona County Courthouse earlier in the day.
The Monona County Fair Board has rebuilt the destroyed buildings and is installing metal bleachers to replace the grandstand. The board plans to have the improvements finished in time for this year's fair, which will begin July 7.
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