Ravelin could face more charges
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Arraignment hearing expected to be set for alleged church arsonist.
Additional criminal charges haven’t been ruled out for a Burlington man arrested this month in connection with a fire that gutted a 138-year-old church, according to federal investigators.
“It’s too early to say,” said Michael Schmitz, a special agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. “There may be cause for the state to charge Mr. (Kevin) Ravelin with additional counts. Or it may be determined that he violated federal law. It’s impossible to know at this early stage.”
Ravelin, 28, was arrested May 4 for second-degree arson for an April 29 fire at the First United Methodist Church in downtown Burlington.
Also, Ravelin was arrested for a second count of second-degree arson and two counts of first-degree burglary in connection with break-ins at the Methodist church and the nearby First Presbyterian Church.
Police say Ravelin admitted to forcibly entering the churches to look for food. According to Ravelin, a box caught fire while he was making a hamburger at the Methodist church.
Police dismissed Ravelin’s account of the crime.
Authorities executed a search warrant at a two-story home at 235 S. 10th St. in Burlington. Ravelin lived at the residence for 22 days with two roommates.
In the search warrant application, Burlington detective Michael Swore said, “During the execution of this search warrant officers observed numerous anti-Christian items.”
Schmitz said it’s not a forgone conclusion that Ravelin will be charged with a hate crime in connection with the church fire based solely on the fact numerous satanic items were seized from his rented room.
Under federal law, a hate crime is a criminal act motivated by bias against an individual or a group due to religion affiliation, sexual orientation, age, nationality, ethnicity, gender or political views.
“It’s too early to tell if this falls under that heading. There’s a lot that goes into an investigation like this … nothing is cut and dry,” Schmitz said. “By the same token, nothing has been ruled out.”
The cause of the April 29 blaze that gutted the First United Methodist Church remains under investigation. However, police say enough evidence has surfaced to implicate Ravelin in the blaze.
“There were two distinct points of origin identified. This indicates the fire was not accidental but intentional,” Burlington police Lt. Darren Grimshaw said.
Ravelin is being held in the Des Moines County jail on $2.75 million bond. An arraignment hearing is expected to be scheduled this week.
Tags: burglary, cate, Food