Greene DA: Federal charges expected in Waynesburg arson case
Plea court hearing for suspect continued to February
Mike Jones
A plea court hearing for the man who allegedly set fire to a Catholic church in Waynesburg was continued until February to allow time for federal prosecutors to take over the case.
Jesse Patterson, 37, is accused of having intentionally started the blaze at St. Ann Church on High Street shortly before midnight on Aug. 30, a few hours before Sunday service. Masses and events at the church were canceled after the fire.
Federal prosecutors have indicated they will pursue charges in the St. Ann fire, as it involves a house of worship, Greene County Prosecutor Briana Vanata said at Wednesday’s hearing.
If that happens, Vanata plans to drop the state charges related to St. Ann. She will proceed with prosecuting Patterson for allegedly setting fire to a mobile home in Waynesburg.
Patterson allegedly set fire to the trailer on Aug. 1. Firefighters arrived shortly after 5 a.m. to find it engulfed in flames, and all residents were able to evacuate safely.
A Greene County judge moved Patterson’s plea hearing to Feb. 11, by which time the federal case will hopefully have moved forward, Vanata said.
“I’m not going to (drop the charges) until I’m sure it will come,” she said.
Patterson’s attorney, Mark Kovach, said he supported the continuance.
“It’s always frustrating for the local DA because they’re kept in limbo,” he said.
The St. Ann allegations include first- and third-degree arson charges, institutional vandalism, burglary, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and risking catastrophe, Patterson is also charged with aggravated arson in the case of the trailer fire.
Patterson has remained in the Greene County jail since his arrest on $250,000 bond.