perry policeA Perry man faces a felony arson charge after allegedly starting his home on fire early Monday.

As previously reported by Raccoon Valley Radio, crews were called to 1611 4th Street shortly after midnight Monday in response to a report of the house on fire.

Officers on scene that morning gathered information from witnesses and after a joint investigation with the State Fire Marshall’s Office, due to the suspicious nature of the fire and information from witnesses, a first degree arson charge has been filed against 45 year-old Raymond Leo Steadman Jr.

Police Chief Eric Vaughn says an ambulance responded to the area Monday and transported Steadman Jr. from the scene, though reasons behind the hospitalization were not related to the fire. He was arrested Wednesday at Mercy West Lakes hospital in West Des Moines.  Steadman Jr. also faces an aggravated misdemeanor charge of public intoxication 3rd offence and two serious misdemeanors for unlawful possession of prescription drugs.

It took nearly two hours for firefighters to fully extinguish the blaze and the family’s dog was killed due to the smoke and fire. The house also received extensive damage.

Vaughn says the first degree arson charge is a Class B Felony, and such a charge is filed when “the presence of one or more persons can be reasonably anticipated in or near the property which is the subject of the arson.”  If convicted, Steadman Jr. faces up to 25 years in prison.

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