VERNON TOWNSHIP —
A man who allegedly set ablaze his second-floor apartment at Timbercrest Apartments last month is headed for a trial in the Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.
Arson and related charges have been filed against Ryan Kelley Pasquito, 27, of 17000 Berkshire Drive, Apt. 203, Meadville, and on Monday he waived his right to a preliminary hearing for the Nov. 8 incident. By waiving his right to a trial, Pasquito automatically was held for trial on the charges without comment by either prosecution or defense. As a result, the motive for the incident remains unknown.
Pasquito is charged by police with one count each of arson, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, risking a catastrophe and disorderly conduct and 15 counts of recklessly endangering another person.
Police allege Pasquito set fire to a pile of clothes and debris in the center of Apartment 203 around 1 p.m. Nov. 8 and then called Crawford County 911, claiming he started the blaze.
Police found Pasquito carrying his 1-year-old child along the berm of Route 19, a short distance from the complex that is off Mullen Road. Pasquito allegedly laid the child gently on the roadside and continued walking before his subsequent arrest by police.
Vernon Central, Vernon Township, Conneaut Lake and West Mead 2 volunteer fire departments evacuated several residents and their pets from neighboring apartments, including some by ladder rescue from upper floors.
If convicted in county court on all charges, Pasquito faces up to 93 years in jail and $167,500 in fines.
He is scheduled to go to trial during the March 2013 term of criminal court. Pasquito remains lodged in the Crawford County jail in Saegertown in lieu of $75,000 bond.
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