A convicted sex offender from Hazleton is now facing possible enhanced charges, in connection with an arson fire in December.


33 year old Jeremy Howard is accused of setting his neighbor's Hazleton garage on fire.

Howard is accused of using gasoline and a propane tank to fuel the garage fire on Third Street South on December 17th.

The fire was set just a day after Howard was sentenced to prison for an August incident, in which he allegedly threw a hammer and a knife at a man during an altercation.

The Buchanan County Attorney's office wants enhanced sentencing for Howard, because of prior convictions for a violation of the state sex offender registry, and burglary.

Howard had previous run-in's with the law for burning a carpet, bed, a television, and some plastic furniture in Hazleton in July.

Howard is on the state sex offender registry for a 2004 conviction for sex abuse and indecent contact with a child in Fayette County.

In the current case, Howard is charged with second degree arson and second degree criminal mischief, under Iowa's habitual offender statutes. Howard's previous convictions could increase his prison sentence.

 

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