Former Arizona Constable Arrested for Arson

October 26, 2011

A former Tempe, Ariz., constable has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to burn down his home for insurance money. Tempe police said Monday they arrested 30-year-old Jonathan Harold Irwin Levenson Saturday night after a four month investigation.

Levenson previously served as a Maricopa County Constable for the Kyrene Justice Court.

Tempe police allege that as part of the plan, Levenson was to be out of state when the home was burned and he wanted to time the arson with the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur.

Levenson also allegedly directed other individuals to mark the home with anti-Semitic symbols prior to burning it to give the appearance that the incident was a hate crime.

Levenson is currently facing charges of conspiracy to commit arson of an occupied structure, conspiracy to commit fraud schemes and false reporting to law enforcement.

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