AGNEW — A Sequim man has been referred for an involuntary treatment evaluation by Peninsula Behavioral Health after setting fire to an unoccupied RV and tackling a responding firefighter in the Agnew area.
Jonathan E. Delo Jr., 26, of Port Angeles was booked Tuesday night into the Clallam County jail for investigation of second-degree arson and third-degree assault.
He made a preliminary appearance Wednesday in Clallam County Superior Court before Judge Lauren M. Erickson. No bail was set.
The referral was ordered and a review hearing was set for 1 p.m. today before Superior Court Judge Brent Basden, followed by a motion hearing at 1 p.m. Friday.
Chief Criminal Deputy Amy Bundy with the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office said that deputies were dispatched at 7:18 p.m. Tuesday to an RV fire in the 3000 block of Old Olympic Highway.
Firefighters on the scene were confronted by Delo, who tackled and punched one of them, she said.
Deputies established probable cause that Delo started the fire on the RV, which did not belong to him, Bundy said. It is not known whether Delo knew the RV was unoccupied.
Second-degree arson occurs when someone “knowingly and maliciously causes a fire or explosion which damages a building, or any structure or erection appurtenant to or joining any building.” It is a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
Third-degree assault includes assault of a public servant, such as a firefighter, performing his or her official duties. It is a Class C felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
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Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at brian.gawley@soundpublishing.com.
