OGDEN, Utah, July 1, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A man has been charged with arson, among other charges, after he allegedly set a fire at a church in Ogden.
A probable cause statement from the 2nd District Court of Ogden said Michael Donovan Averett, 18, is facing the arson charge, a second-degree felony; criminal mischief, a second-degree felony; and burglary, a third-degree felony.
The probable cause statement said that on June 28, an officer responded to what was originally classified as criminal mischief at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building at 550 E. 900 North in Ogden. The maintenance man for the property had found damaged water pipes in the building, and another maintenance worker arrived to fix a glass door that had been completely shattered sometime during the night.
The officer stood by while one of the workers began to attempt to seal the
building off, however, the maintenance worker then heard items being broken inside. The police officer then located two males appearing to have come from the building. One of the males was identified as Michael Averett. The other was a juvenile.
“Both males admitted to being inside the church, explaining that they were exploring,” the statement said. “After obtaining their information, they were allowed to leave.”
The officer and one of the maintenance workers then began a walk-through of the church.
“They noticed that there was the smell of smoke in the air.” the statement said. “They located a room in the church where a toy box was ablaze. Another individual with the church arrived and after inspection estimated the damage to be near $300,000.” Other fires had also been set, the statement said.
Due to the nature of this incident the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives began an investigation in which Ogden officers assisted. The OFD Fire Marshal and ATF Fire Investigator deemed that this was an incendiary fire, the definition of which is a fire intentionally ignited under circumstances where the person knows the fire should not be ignited.
ATF agents were successful in locating Averett and the juvenile male in the Salt Lake City area, and interviewed the suspects at the Sandy Police Department. Averett admitted to breaking multiple fixtures and windows in the church.
“Additionally, Michael admitted to using flammable sources to ignite multiple fires within the church in multiple areas,” the statement said. “Michael admitted one specific fire was set with an aerosol can, combustible paper materials and a lighter. This fire spread quickly, and caused extensive fire, water and smoke damage.”
Averett was booked into Weber County Jail with his bail set at $25,000.
