A suspended sentence for Stanhope man in January house fire.

The Stanhope man accused of setting a house fire last January has pleaded guilty in lighting the fire that destroyed the home of his family last January. 28-year-old Cody Christensen submitted a written plea of guilty to third-degree arson and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon in Hamilton County District Court. The two charges are aggravated misdemeanors. Christensen was originally charged with second-degree arson, a class C felony and interference with official acts, a class D felony. The court sentenced Christensen to a two-year prison term on each count but the sentence was suspended as part of the agreement. Christensen will also have to pay an undetermined restitution and court costs. Christensen admitted to starting the fire that destroyed the house at 2158 360th Street southwest of Stanhope on the afternoon of January 30th.. Fire department from Stanhope and Stratford responded to the fire. The fire caused the complete destruction of the home with the chimney to the property left standing.