After 22-month arson investigation, legal process for Lutsen Resort owner begins
A week after Bryce Campbell was arrested on felony charges related to the fire that destroyed Lutsen Resort in February 2024, the legal process that will determine his future is underway.
Campbell was charged with three counts of arson and one of insurance fraud following a 22-month investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and State Fire Marshal. He was arrested on Dec. 3 in Oakland County, Michigan, north of Detroit.
During the press conference that followed Campbell’s arrest, Drew Evans, superintendent of the BCA commented on the timeline of the investigation. “I commend the work of our BCA financial crimes, fraud special agents and analysts who spent 22 long months rooting out the details of Bryce Campbell’s plan and a scheme and how he carried it out,” he said. “This is a methodical investigation that took a lot of investigation, working with a lot of partners, to really uncover the scheme that was in place here at this time.”
As for what happens next, at the press conference, Cook County Attorney Jeanne Peterson reminded the public that an arrest was just the beginning of the legal process. “The complaint is merely an allegation, and Mr. Campbell remains innocent until proven guilty. He has rights and is entitled to a jury of his peers,” she said.
Peterson told WTIP that the county had until Dec. 18 to arrange for Campbell’s transportation from Michigan. Campbell waived his extradition rights from the state of Michigan, meaning he did not challenge the state of Minnesota’s request for his transport back to Minnesota.
Peterson said that a custody hearing will be held to determine whether or not he will be released on bail and what conditions of his potential release might be. She said these hearings are typically held shortly after booking in the arresting county. He was booked on the evening of Dec. 12, and according to the Cook County Jail roster, is being held in Lake County.
If the court opts to keep Campbell in custody, he would not be held long-term in Cook County, as the facilities at the Cook County jail only allow for a prisoner to be held up to 72 hours.
When asked whether Campbell will be tried in Cook County, Peterson said she could not comment on that at this time.
On Dec. 12 a Certificate of Representation was filed with the Minnesota judiciary, naming Minnetonka-based lawyer Eric L. Newmark as Campbell’s defense attorney.
According to his website, Newmark, “defends clients in all types of criminal charges, including drug crimes, violent crimes, white collar crimes, driving offenses, DUI/DWIs and many other felonies and misdemeanors.”
While there has been public speculation on when a trial might occur, there are no official details on that timeline at this point. “It’s too early to say at this time,” Peterson said. “It’s a complex case.”
Thus far, the state has not filed charges against any additional parties.
This article was updated at 10:30 am on Dec. 14.
Kirsten Wisniewski December 13, 2025
