Read more: Local, Patel, Criminal Complaint, Arson, Fire, Duck’S Red Fox Grocery Store, Hamilton, Illinois
PEORIA, ILL. -- The following is a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, Acting United States Attorney Jeffrey B. Lang, Central District of Illinois:
A Keokuk, Iowa man, Maheshbhai Rhamanbhai Patel, 34, made his initial appearance in federal court late this morning, following his arrest yesterday.
Patel has been charged in a criminal complaint with arson related to a fire on Oct. 5, 2009, at Duck’s Red Fox Grocery store in Hamilton, Illinois.
U.S. Magistrate Judge John A. Gorman ordered Patel be detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending preliminary and detention hearings scheduled on Dec. 21 at 10:30 a.m. in federal court in Peoria, Illinois.
According to the affidavit filed in support of the complaint, prior to Oct. 5, 2009, Patel had entered into a contract to purchase Duck’s Red Fox Grocery from its prior owners and had insurance on the property and inventory of the grocery store.
During the early morning hours of Oct. 5, firefighters were called to extinguish a fire at the grocery store. The affidavit alleges that following the fire, investigators found four plastic gasoline containers partially filled with suspected gasoline and placed in different areas of the store.
If convicted, arson is punishable by a statutory minimum penalty of five years to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Click here to read the official press release.
