A man lit a mattress on fire inside his Otsego home, refused to leave as smoke filled the residence and then threw a beer can at deputies before barricading himself in a bathroom, according to charges.
Mark Sergeyevich Antonov, 34, of Otsego, faces charges of first-degree arson for setting fire to a dwelling and obstructing legal process for interfering with deputies during their response. The charges were filed Wednesday, September 9, in Wright County District Court.
According to the complaint, Wright County deputies responded to a report of a structural fire at a residence in Otsego on June 30, 2026. The caller reported smoke coming from the home, alarms sounding and loud music playing inside. When deputies arrived, they saw smoke billowing from open windows and doors.
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Deputies found Antonov in the basement, surrounded by used matches. When told to evacuate, Antonov said he was just “having a little bonfire” and asked deputies if they wanted to play FIFA with him. After deputies ordered him to leave again, Antonov refused and threw an empty beer can at one of the deputies before barricading himself in the bathroom.
Due to the heavy smoke, deputies exited the residence. Shortly after, Antonov was seen in the backyard. Deputies ordered him to put his hands up, but Antonov crouched behind a retaining wall in an attempt to evade law enforcement. When deputies approached, Antonov ran. He was ultimately detained after a deputy drew a taser. The complaint states Antonov actively resisted being detained and had to be carried to the front of the residence.
Fire personnel determined the fire was incendiary and had started on a mattress upstairs. Investigators later learned Antonov used a match to ignite the mattress and then put the fire out himself with a fire extinguisher.
On July 3, 2026, a deputy contacted Antonov at Maple Grove Hospital, where he was on a 72-hour hold. Antonov argued about deputies entering his home, claimed he had already extinguished the fire and said he sustained injuries and that his “emotional wellbeing” was hurt. He ended the call by saying he hoped everyone listening, including the President and Nicki Minaj, would help him.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies arson by degree (§ 609.561 through § 609.5631), with first-degree arson, dwelling with another person inside, carrying up to 20 years in prison. Criminal damage to property is charged under § 609.595.
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Jurisdictional Context
Wright County, west of the Twin Cities metro, is served by the Wright County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. Felony cases are heard at the Wright County Government Center in Buffalo.
