News : Man jailed for arson; accused of setting fire to home with wife, children inside

Darrell Lee Abbott: Accused of arson while his children were inside with his wife.

Darrell Lee Abbott 40, of Iowa City, was arrested Saturday January 26, 2013 in Iowa City, on a Benton County arrest warrant for arson and child endangerment.

Abbott was charged after an investigation by the Benton County Sheriff’s Office and State Fire Marshall’s Office where Abbott is accused of starting a fire in the early morning hours of October 9, 2011 to a mobile home that was occupied by Abbott’s wife and two children. The fire was as Timber Ridge Trailer Court, located 3 miles south of Shellsburg in Benton County. The E911 address was 6676 32nd Ave., Lot 88.

In the complaint filed in Benton County District Court, authorities allege that Abbott deliberately set fire to a pile of leaves near a snowmobile parked outside the home and later told a witness that it was an intentional fire. The fire spread from the snowmobile to the home.

Abbott is charged with Arson in the first degree, two counts of Child Endangerment and Criminal Mischief in the fourth degree.

Abbott was released on Tuesday, after his bond was reduced from a cash bond to a surety. His initial appearance has been set for Feb. 6. Abbot's criminal history includes a 1999 case in Johnson County where he was charged with attempted murder and later found guilty of going armed with intent.