2nd Minnesota man pleads guilty in meat plant fire
The second of two Minnesota brothers accused of starting a fire that caused $50 million to a meatpacking plant has pleaded guilty.
Prosecutors say 25-year-old Kurtis Popp pleaded guilty Tuesday to a charge of second-degree recklessly endangering public safety.
Prosecutors say Popp fired a military flare on July 5 that his brother had given him. The flare landed on a roof at the Patrick Cudahy Inc. meatpacking plant in Cudahy, Wis., and ignited the fire.
Prosecutors agree to recommend up to a year in the House of Correction, three years probation, community service and a stayed prison sentence.
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Popp's sentencing is scheduled Oct. 26.
His 23-year-old brother, Joshua Popp, pleaded guilty in a similar agreement and will be sentenced Oct. 8.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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Editor's note: An earlier headline on this story incorrectly stated the Cudahy plant is in Minnesota.