Rochester man accused of kidnapping, arson argues restitution sentence

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man who took a plea deal in a kidnapping and arson case has argued that the restitution Olmsted County Court assigned him is unfair.

Michael Steven Drury, 52, pleaded guilty to first-degree arson in August, and sentenced to 48 months in prison with credit for 334 days served. Drury was also ordered to pay $646,249.00 in restitution after setting fire to a portion of a Pine Island woman’s house.

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As part of the plea agreement, charges of kidnapping, first-degree burglary, false imprisonment, terroristic threats, second-degree assault, and first-degree arson were dropped.

According to court documents filed between October and December, Drury’s defense has contested the restitution amount based on both the accuracy of the damage estimate and Drury’s ability to pay.

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A motion filed Nov. 29 alleges that the restitution amount includes $130,000 in damages to the home that were paid by insurance, as well as several home items allegedly counted twice in the total restitution request.