A 27-year-old Shattuc man has been ordered held without bond after being formally charged in Clinton County Court on Monday with aggravated arson, criminal damage between $500 and $10,000 and obstructing justice.
Judge Douglas Gruenke also ordered a fitness exam for Billy Muench of Indiana Street to determine if he is fit to stand trial. A public defender was appointed to represent him.
Centralia City Firemen responded to the Best Western Motel on Saturday morning when a fire alarm sounded. Upon entry, they found a light haze but no active fire. A half-burned toilet paper roll was found in a trash can. The inside window was also broken, but an attempt to break the outside window was not successful.
Muench who was out of his room but still at the motel when firemen arrived was later arrested by Centralia Police walking near Jolliff Bridge Road and West McCord. He had been banned from the motel following an earlier incident, but reportedly used a false ID and paid in cash to prevent the clerk from learning his real name.
The case is being handled by the Clay County State’s Attorney due to a staff member of the Clinton County State’s Attorney having an order of protection against Muench due to an earlier threat made in connection with an earlier case.
The motel estimated damage from the small fire and broken window at $7,000.
