Keokuk, IA – A federal grand jury in Davenport has indicted Travis Thrush, 20, of Keokuk on three counts of arson. He is accused of starting a fire at the First Baptist Church almost one year ago and at County Market and Meyers Driveway and Septic Tank Service last January.
Lee County Attorney Mike Short says the number of fires and, in particular, the church fire likely led the federal government to get involved in the case.
Short says the possible penalties for Thrush are much greater at the federal level. Short says, "An Iowa sentence approaching 25 years would mean actual time of 5 years or less in prison. In federal court, a sentence of 20 years would mean 18 years in prison."
A motion has been filed to drop the three state charges, against Thrush, that are mentioned in the federal indictment. Thrush still faces state charges in connection to four other fires.
Bethany Baptist Church - September 19, 2008
Bethany Baptist Church-December 13, 2008
528 Morgan Street -January 28, 2009
523 High Street - January 29, 2009.
Short says those charges could also be dropped, pending federal action. He says if Thrush receives a significant federal sentence, there is no real need to pursue state charges.
The Keokuk Police Department have yet to name a suspect in several other fires during the last 9 months.
The former YWCA building - October 16, 2008
Storage Shed behind Meyers' Courtyard - November 9, 2008
Alley behind Gate City Seed - November 9, 2008
1124 Franklin Street - November 24, 2008
Shed at 5th & Exhange - January 6, 2009
322 South 21st Street - January 7, 2009.