The FBI arrested a Joliet man today on arson and civil rights charges alleging he set fire to the home of an African-American family living on his street in 2007.
The eight children and one adult living in the home escaped the early morning blaze on June 17, 2007 without injury, but moved from the neighborhood after the fire, according to an FBI release.
Brian James Moudry was charged with one count each of arson, using fire to interfere with housing rights on the basis of race, and using fire to commit another felony in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury last Thursday and unsealed today following his arrest.
Moudry, 35, of the 300 block of South Reed Street in Joliet, is scheduled to appear at 9:30 a.m. Thursday before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert in U.S. District Court, the FBI said.
"The federal government takes very seriously its responsibilities to protect members of all racial and ethnic groups from intimidation and violence," said U.S. Atty. Patrick J. Fitzgerald in the release.
Copyright 2012 - Chicago Tribune
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
