A Purdin man has been charged with two felonies following an alleged attempt to set fire to a house in Chillicothe on August 22.
According to online court records, Johnny Lee Collis, 32, faces charges of attempted first-degree arson and driving while intoxicated as an aggravated offender. No bond has been set for his release.
The probable cause statement alleges that Collis attempted to start a fire in an occupied home by pouring gasoline on the garage floor and a victim’s legs. At the time of the incident, two children were reported to be inside the residence.
In addition to the arson charge, Collis is accused of driving to the scene while under the influence of alcohol. Authorities reportedly discovered an open beer can inside the vehicle he was driving.
The statement further indicates that Collis has two prior convictions for driving while intoxicated, one in Linn County and another in the state of Iowa.
