A Moses Lake woman charged with second-degree arson appeared last week in Grant County Superior Court.

Shari Lanee Benson, 50, allegedly started a fire in July 2019 in her now-ex-husband’s repair shop, adjacent to their former home in the 4500 block of Road 13.6 Southwest in Royal City.

Police responded at 12:03 p.m. July 27, 2019, for a domestic violence call at Benson’s and Brandon Benson’s home, records stated. Brandon told police Shari was upset and threw things that morning, and moved a car while he was working on it, giving him an abrasion. Shari allegedly refused to speak to officers, records stated. Both had been drinking and Shari said she was on a three-week bender of alcohol and drugs.

About 45 minutes later, fire crews and police responded to the same location for a structure fire. An officer found Shari Benson asleep on her bed while a fire burned the shop.

Several people told investigators Shari Benson started the fire, as she started smaller fires before when she was upset.

She told investigators she didn’t remember much of July, including the day of the fire.

Prosecutors filed the charge against her Feb. 12, 2021. After her first appearance March 8, she was allowed to remain out of jail on her own recognizance and conditions, including not leave Washington or change her address without written permission and maintain weekly contact with her attorney.

Her arraignment is scheduled for March 22.