Illinois Judge Denies Lower Bond in Rock Island Arson Case

A Rock Island County judge has denied a lower bond for a man accused of setting a fire that destroyed or damaged a handful of buildings in downtown Rock Island, Ill., in September.

Jason Earl Anderson, 34, is charged with felony arson and residential arson. He’s being held on $100,000 bond. Judge Norma Kauzlarich declined to lower the bond, saying Anderson would pose “a real and present threat” if he was released.

Defense attorney John Steckel argued his client wasn’t a flight risk. He says Anderson is a lifelong area resident and lives under the supervision of his father.

Police say they saw Anderson biking downtown on the night of the fire. The Rock Island Argus reports documents say he was captured on a security camera biking near the site of the fire right before it began.