DUBOIS – A DuBois man will stand trial for setting several fires in the area.
Brady Dillon-Michael Burkett, 23, is facing 19 counts of arson, one count of aggravated arson, 12 counts of reckless burning, seven counts of risking a catastrophe, seven counts of recklessly endangering another person, six counts of burglary, and related summaries.
Following a preliminary hearing Friday at District Judge Pat Ford’s office, three of the burglary charges were dismissed but all the other charges were held to court by Ford. The case now moves on to the court of common pleas.
Burkett’s bail was lowered from $250,000 to $100,000, but he remains incarcerated in the county jail, according to online court documents.
The charges stem from incidents beginning in February, when police and fire departments responded to six mobile home fires and one shed fire in the Timetobid Road area in Sandy Township.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the first fire on Feb. 16 at 19 Timetobid Rd., was at a vacant trailer that spread to a shed and then to an occupied trailer. It caused damage in excess of $15,000.
More fires followed in the next few months with all of them determined to be arson.
After the last incident on May 30, it was discovered that Burkett was seen outside of the residence just prior to the fire, police said.
Burkett was also allegedly seen on surveillance footage obtained from a camera installed in the area.
In the footage, police saw a man walk from the area of 32 Timetobid Rd., which is Burkett’s address, to the scene of the fire and then back again.
When he was interviewed by police, Burkett reportedly confessed to entering the residence and using a lighter to ignite a couch cushion.
He then allegedly confessed to starting all the fires in the neighborhood.
On the date of the first fire, he said he was shooting bottle rockets when one of the rockets entered the shed and started a fire, which he said he tried to put out. It spread to an unoccupied trailer and then to an occupied trailer, he said.
When this happened, Burkett said he alerted the elderly lady in the second trailer and called 911.
The other fires were set by lighting various items including, bubble wrap, clothing, manila folders and grass, according to the report.
The total damage is estimated to be over $60,000.