RIDGWAY – Two Ridgway men have been jailed for their roles in a pair of arsons that occurred Dec. 4, 2008 and May 30 in Elk County. One defendant has also been charged with criminal attempt homicide for a June 23, 2011 incident, the Ridgway-based state police reported.
Francis “Tony” Milliard, 54, of Ridgway was apprehended on a felony arrest warrant for multiple counts of arson, criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another person. Anthony Milliard, 28, of Ridgway has also been charged as a co-defendant in this incident.
These charges stem from a May 30 fire at the residence of Pauline Smith. The residence was located at 521 West Main St. in Ridgway Township.
In addition, the defendants were charged with multiple counts of felony arson, criminal mischief and insurance fraud. These charges stemmed from a Dec. 4, 2008 fire at 115 First Ave. in Johnsonburg Borough. Defendant Francis Milliard owned the residence.
The Pennsylvania State Police were assisted by the Ridgway Borough Police Department in the arrest of Francis Milliard in connection with a criminal attempt homicide incident that occurred June 23, 2011 on Elk Avenue in Ridgway Borough.
Francis Milliard was arraigned and incarcerated at the Elk County Prison on $250,000 cash bond for the criminal attempt homicide in 2011; on $100,000 cash bond for the arson May 30; and on $50,000 cash bond for the arson in 2008.
Anthony Milliard was previously charged July 10 with the 2008 arson. He was incarcerated in the Elk County Prison in lieu of $25,000 cash bond. His arraignment for the May 30 arson is currently pending in the district court.
The arson investigations are ongoing at this time. There haven’t been any other arrests made in connection to the string of arson incidences, which began May 30 in Elk County.
