(Sidney, Iowa) – Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope reports two men were arrested in connection with a 2020 arson fire in Anderson, Iowa. On Friday (Today), Deputies arrested 56-year-old old Charles Ray Welch, of Anderson, and 32-year-old Tyler Ward, of Riverton, as part of an ongoing investigation. Both were arrested at their residences without incident.

Welch three Felony faces charges, including:

• Solicitation to Commit a Felony, A Class D Felony
• Arson 1st Degree, a Class B Felony
• Arson 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony
  

  Welch

He was being held at the Fremont County Jail on $55,000 cash only bond.

Ward was charged with:

• Arson 1st Degree, a Class B Felony, and
• Arson 2nd Degree, a Class C Felony

Ward is being held at the Fremont County Jail on $50,000 cash only bond.

Ward

The investigation resulting in their arrests began on June 22, 2020, when fire departments and investigators were called to 306th Avenue in Anderson for a report of two separate buildings on fire. The investigation determined that two separate structures were independently set on fire, and one of the structures was occupied at the time the fire was set. The occupant was able to escape the fire without injury.

The Fremont County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Fire Marshall’s Office with the investigation at the scene.