Nevada man accused of setting haystack on fire

Friday, Sept. 8, 2000 | 9:01 a.m.

John Beckstead, 36, of Jackpot was being held at the Franklin County Sheriff's Office in lieu of a $54,000 bond. A preliminary hearing was tentatively planned in the next two weeks.

Beckstead was charged with felony third-degree arson, enhanced driving under the influence, driving without privileges, failure to purchase a driver's license and failure to show proof of insurance.

They haystack belonged to Howard Nelson of Fairview, a teacher at Preston Junior High School where Beckstead attended.

"I taught him in school many years ago," Nelson said.

The hay was set afire last Wednesday evening. Nelson said he saw Beckstead park down the road from the haystack before the fire started and then leave about 20 minutes afterward. He was quickly arrested.

Nelson said he has some insurance, but it probably would not cover the entire loss.

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