Lowell Man Makes Initial Appearance On Arson Charge

(Herman) A Lowell man who is charged with setting fire to his former home made his initial appearance in court Monday. Signature bond was set at $5,000 for Benjamin Mueller who is facing a felony count of Arson of a Building. In April of 2017, a sheriff’s deputy responded to a home on Hilldale Road in the Town of Herman after one of the residents reported that the basement was on fire. The deputy said that Mueller was reportedly distraught and combative when questioned. The property owner allegedly told investigators that if the fire seemed at all suspicious Mueller was (quote) “your suspect.” The property owner also told deputies that Mueller was not allowed at the residence.  Following an examination of the scene by a Wisconsin Deputy State Fire Marshall, he determined that the blaze was the caused by (quote) “the application and subsequent ignition, [by] open flame of an ignitable liquid.” The fire’s damage was contained to the basement however there were signs of smoke damage to the upper floors. If convicted, the 41-year-old faces no more than 40 years in prison. A judge will decide in September if there is enough evidence to order a trial.