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UPDATED: Plainfield Man Charged in Unincorporated Kendall County Arson

Keenan Slagel is being held at the Kendall County Sheriff's office in connection with a 2007 arson at an unincorporated Kendall County home. Two additional fires at the house are still under investigation, police said.

 

Updated at 11:15 a.m. Oct. 31:

Police said they are investigating a Plainfield man in connection with a series of 2007 fires at a home in unincorporated Kendall County.

Keenan Slagel, 29, of the 24000 block of Caton Farm Road in unincorporated Plainfield, was arrested Monday and charged with arson, a Class 2 felony. He is being held on $500,000 bond at the Kendall County Sheriff's office, police said.

Police said a series of arsons occurred in 2007 at a home at 38 Winding Winding Creek Rd. between Oswego and Yorkville. The fires occured on March 31, April 21 and Oct. 11, 2007, according to the sheriff's department.

On Wednesdsay, Kendall County Sgt. Joe Jasnosz clarified that Slagel is currently charged only with the April 2007 incident.

"Although an arrest has been made, this is an ongoing investigation," Jasnosz said, but noted there are currently no other suspects. "We are not looking at anybody else at this time."

According to police, the three blazes caused more than $2 million in damages to the home.

The fires, which were determined to be arsons, occured shortly after new owners moved into the house, police said. According to Deputy Bryan Harl, Slagel did not have any ties to the new owners.

Harl declined to discuss Slagel's possible motives for allegedly starting the fire.

"It's still part of the investigation," he said.

After what police called a thorough investigation by deputies, the Bristol-Kendall Fire Department and the state fire marshall, Slagel was identified as a suspect in at least one of the arsons, according to a press release. A warrant for Slagel's arrest was issued on Oct. 26.

Though police initially said Slagel was arrested at his home in Plainfield, Jasnosz said he was taken into custody at Caton Farm and County Line roads.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to clarify that Slagel is not charged in all three arsons as initially reported. He is currently charged in connection with the April 21, 2007 incident, and the investigation is ongoing, police said.

Related Topics: Arson, Keenan Slagel, and Kendall County Sheriff

Jim W

7:40 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Arson fires is a little redundant.

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InvisibleCop1

10:29 pm on Sunday, November 4, 2012

I didn't fin it to be redundant since Arson is a Crime commonly defined by statute as the unlawful damage or destruction of property by means of fire or explosion.

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Shannon Antinori

7:46 pm on Tuesday, October 30, 2012

You're right, Jim. Thanks for pointing it out.

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Smokingdiesel

6:54 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Great job for finding this jack wad, BUT it took 5 years to do so?!?!?

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Christopher Weiner

3:08 am on Monday, November 5, 2012

This "jack wad" is a great friend of mine and has recently turned his life around two years ago and is paying for a recent event in his past. I know turning his life around doesn't excuse him for what might have done or not done, but I know him personally and he is one of the greatest youth leaders I know!

Jack

11:17 am on Wednesday, October 31, 2012

I remember when he was a kid and he shot himself in his manhood with a bb gun. I guess that will mess anyone up.

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Afriend12

11:47 am on Monday, November 5, 2012

I agree with the above comments. He's a great guy and I don't believe it.

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Jared James Gerstenkorn

2:13 pm on Monday, November 5, 2012

I can't speak for the validity of these accusations, but I do know that Keenan is truly a man that has dedicated a large portion of his life to the benefit of others. Whatever mistakes he may or may not have made, he is not a "jack wad".
Praying for you buddy

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P. Sherman

11:44 pm on Sunday, December 9, 2012

I spent a day in jail with this fella. He seemed genuinely repentant, and his whole tale is terribly tragic, given that he did not even target those whom he intended. But that does not excuse his crime.

I wish him the best.

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