On Monday October 16, 2017 just before 10 AM a fire occurred at 219 N. Davis St. in Ottumwa. An investigation after the fire indicated that the fire was ignited as a result of arson. A burglary had also occurred.
As a result of a joint investigation between the Ottumwa Police and Fire Departments a 15-year-old male juvenile and Carlos Obed Morales, age 17, were both arrested and charged with the following.
Male juvenile, age 15, was charged with the following crimes:
- Arson First Degree a class B felony
- Burglary First Degree a class B felony
- Possession of an Incendiary Device a class C felony
- Criminal Mischief First Degree a class C felony.
Carlos Obed Morales, age 17, was charged with the following crime:
- Burglary First Degree a class B felony
The 17 year old male juvenile’s charges were automatically waived to adult court since the Burglary 1st charge is a forcible felony.
Both Juveniles are being held in a juvenile detention facility.
Please note the following pursuant to recent Supreme Court rulings: “A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
