Eric Beeler Deck, 39, Minot, is charged in district court in Minot with setting the mattress in his cell at the Ward County Jail on fire on Aug. 4, a Class B felony.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court, video security camera footage shows Deck in a “three-point stance” before he runs into the jail cell door with his head. Deck then falls down to the floor of the jail where he sits for a few moments. Deck then removes the shirt he is wearing and crawls under the bed mattress in the corner of the cell. The mattress is set up like a teepee. Deck is observed on the video putting the shirt inside the “teepee” then sticks his head inside of it. Deck then appears to remove something from his shorts, which authorities believe to be a lighter. A short time later flames are observed from behind the mattress up against the wall. There is also a large amount of smoke in the cell as seen on the video. Jail staff removed Deck from his cell. Deck was searched and was also found to have concealed marijuana inside his sock. He is also charged with Class B felony possession of a controlled substance inside the jail.

Deck had been in the jail on a Class C felony burglary charge. He allegedly broke an air conditioning unit and then tried to gain access to a home through the kitchen window while a resident stood prepared to fight him off with a piece of pipe. Deck was known to the residents of the home and there had been a dispute.