William Laibe, 28, was charged with two counts of arson, each a fourth-degree felony, and one count of misdemeanor arson. Just last week, prosecutors offered to dismiss the charges if Laibe would plead to criminal damaging, a second-degree misdemeanor. He had until Tuesday, but prosecutors dismissed all charges before the day ended.
The charges accused Laibe of setting fires to three properties in Ottawa on July 25. Two were vacant houses owned by the village, located at 315 N. Perry St., and 529 W. Third St., and another, at 205 N. Perry St., was owned by Ray Diemer.
The fires occurred in the early morning hours. Ottawa firefighters were called to the scene of one fire and within hours were called to a second fire. Both fires were suspicious, since power and utilities were turned off at the houses.
The houses were scheduled for demolition as part of a program associated with flood zones.
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