advertisement | your ad here
 
 
ND arson suspect now faces more felony charges
Share Email Bookmark

STEELE, N.D. (AP) _ A Texas man accused of burning down a hotel

in North Dakota now faces 19 felony charges.

Fifty-year-old Allen Thomas was charged earlier with arson in

the Aug. 12 fire at the Lone Steer Motel in Steele. The Houston man

now also faces 18 counts of endangering by fire or explosion. All

of the charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison upon

conviction.

No one was hurt in the fire but about two dozen people were

displaced. Authorities have said little about why Thomas is

believed to have started the blaze.

The Bismarck Tribune reports that Thomas made his initial court

appearance on the new charges Monday. He was given an application

for a public defender.