Church arson suspect makes bail; allegedly reoffends

A woman accused of setting a church on fire in Alberton last month made bail and allegedly continued to terrorize community members in the small village.

Denim Renee Howard, who Mineral County authorities believe set the fire that caused extensive damage to the United Methodist Church in Alberton on Feb. 4, recently made bail after she pleaded not guilty Feb. 19, according to court documents.

Howard, who was first lodged in the Sanders County Jail before being moved to the Flathead County Detention Center, is back in custody in Flathead County, as of Feb. 27.

In addition to the original charges of arson (with damage exceeding $1,500), burglary and possession of burglary tools, Howard is now facing two counts of criminal mischief and one for violating her terms of release.

According to Mineral County Attorney Ellen Donahue, Howard ran away from her mother while they were in Missoula to see a movie Monday, Feb. 24.

According to a court document filed by Donahue, this violated one of the conditions of Howard’s release - that she remain with her mother, who lives in Bonner, Montana.

Howard’s mother reported calling police in Missoula, but allegedly not Mineral County law enforcement or Howard’s attorney.

Howard’s mother didn’t know her daughter returned to Alberton, 30 miles from Bonner, and was accused of a number of different crimes, until Donahue called the mother Tuesday, Feb. 26.

According to court documents, on Monday, Feb. 25, Howard is accused of using a stick to break a plate glass window at one location, of breaking two outside lights at Trax Bar. She was also allegedly seen near the United Methodist Church.

According to court documents, Howard was booked into the Sanders County Jail Feb. 3 on charges of arson, burglary (non-residence), two counts of criminal mischief and possession of burglary tools.

Defendants in Mineral County cases may be booked into facilities in Missoula, Sanders or Lake counties because Mineral County’s jail is not open due to staffing issues.

According to Mel Holtz of the Frenchtown Rural Fire District, firefighters were able to knock down the blaze before it spread beyond the basement. The church did have heavy smoke damage, however.

The church, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been a fixture in Alberton since 1912.

The Montana State Fire Marshall investigated the scene with the Sheriff’s Office and the fire was determined to be suspicious.

No one was injured and the church was insured, according to Holtz.