A Nebraska couple were arrested this week on felony charges in connection with a 2010 arson fire in western Iowa. The Iowa Department of Public Safety says 29-year old Elizabeth Kautter and 27-year old William Kautter, of Omaha, were both charged with first-degree arson.
William Kautter was also charged with six counts of attempted murder. The charges stem from an investigation into a fire that occurred the night of December 14th, 2010, in Atlantic. Authorities determined the fire was set by gasoline being poured on the porch and front door of a single-family home that was occupied by six people, all of whom escaped without injury.
Complaints and affidavits filed in coordination with the arrest of the couple revealed William Kautter made several harassing phone calls, threatened physical harm and death to the family living in the home. Cell phone records showed the Kautter’s had traveled to Iowa from Omaha the night of the fire, and, Elizabeth Kautter was seen purchasing gasoline at an Atlantic area gas station that same evening.
William Kautter was arrested and charged in May 2012, for making terroristic threats. In August 2012, he plead guilty to a lesser charge.
By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic