Lang
11/21/11
A transient faces charges that he intentionally started a fire inside a Coralville residence.
36-year-old Jose Parsons was booked into the Johnson County Jail just after 5:00 Sunday night after he was caught allegedly shoplifting from the Coralville Walmart. Parsons was wanted by Coralville police after a May 7th incident at a house on 20th Avenue Place. Officers were called to the residence after a caller reported that Parsons had set a fire and fled on foot. The caller said the fire was already out.
Investigators found a trash can containing burnt objects. Parsons was located, and allegedly admitted to lighting a piece of paper on fire and throwing it in the trash, saying it was “not a big deal”. Residents told police the smoke was so bad at one point, they could barely see inside the house.
Parsons is charged with Reckless Use of Fire and 5th Degree Theft. If convicted on both charges, he faces a maximum of 13 months in jail.