A Cumberland County man is facing federal arson charges in connection with a fire that damaged Burkesville City Hall in 2020.
A federal grand jury indicted 47-year-old Nathan Riddle earlier this month, charging him with two counts of arson.
The arson occurred nearly four years ago, on October 25, 2020 according to the indictment. The fire destroyed the building, which held the mayor’s office, city clerk’s office, the city council room, and the police department, which included an evidence room.
That evidence room reportedly contained blood-alcohol evidence against Riddle stemming from an arrest that occurred less than two weeks before the fire.
Riddle was arrested by Burkesville Police on October 12, 2020 following a traffic stop and charged with trafficking in methamphetamine, reckless driving, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while impaired by drugs.
Prosecutors ultimately dismissed the DUI charge against Riddle because the evidence was lost in the fire.
Riddle remains in federal custody. He’s expected to make a court appearance today.
