Brown County Prosecutor Jim Oliver filed criminal charges of Arson, Conspiracy to Commit Arson and Institutional Criminal Mischief against five adults in the Grandview Church Fire in southern Brown County. The charges and probable cause affidavits are attached to this release.
Four men, Nathan R. Bauermeister, Jonathan K. Mings, Dalton J. Poe and Cody L. Watts, were arrested yesterday, and will appear at 2:30 p.m. before the Brown Circuit Court for initial hearings. All four suspects are 18 year old males and Columbus residents.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office had previously arrested one adult, Stephen Moore, and one juvenile on July 21.
A seventh individual, a juvenile male, has been detained in connection with his involvement in the July 14, 2010, fire, which destroyed Grandview Apostolic Church. A petition alleging delinquency will be filed on Monday. An initial hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, July 27, 2010.
"I'm grateful to the Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office for putting this case together so quickly," said Prosecutor Oliver. "This has been a traumatic event for our community, and to have arrests is a huge relief."
Information gathered from the Indiana Arson Hotline and the Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana Hotline was instrumental in leading to the arrests.
"Intentionally set fires pose an extreme danger to both the public and the numerous firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical professionals who respond to such incidents," said Indiana State Fire Marshal Jim Greeson. "We appreciate the support of the many partners in law enforcement who have worked tirelessly with us in this investigation. The support of the public in providing information through the arson hotlines has been invaluable."
The Brown County Sheriff's Office, Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted in the investigation.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office is a division of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.
The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office continues to monitor the Indiana Arson Hotline (800-382-4628) in addition to the Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana Hotline (317-262-TIPS). Those with information about the Grandview Apostolic Church fire or any other intentionally set fire are encouraged to call either line. All calls will be kept confidential.
The charges are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
« Back to News Release List
Link to this event: