Video shows arsonist at Idaho Falls Brady's

IDAHO FALLS — The man arrested and charged in Monday’s fire at Brady’s was a former employee who is also facing charges from a previous criminal act against the company.

Jason G. Schlegel, 41, was arrested for arson late Monday in connection to the fire, according to the Idaho Falls Police Department.

Brad Brady, co-owner of Brady’s, said Schlegel was a former employee of the company who quit last year on his own terms.

Schlegel currently has pending charges alleging theft and forgery involving a purchase charged to a Brady’s account, according to court documents obtained by EastIdahoNews.com.

In November, Schlegel bought a $129.99 Milwaukee Hackszall kit on a Brady’s account at Cal-Ranch in Idaho Falls, police reports show.

According to court records, Schlegel was not a current employee of Brady’s at the time, but he did sign the purchase order with a current employee’s name.

Cal-Ranch sends an email to account holders immediately whenever there is activity on an open account.

A Brady’s bookkeeper was alerted to the purchase and questioned the employee whose name was signed.

After discovering the purchase was likely a fraud, police were called and reviewed video from Cal-Ranch. Several former co-workers identified Schlegel, according to court documents.

A warrant for Schlegel was issued and he was later arrested on a felony forgery and misdemeanor theft charge. He was released on $1,500 bond.

Schlegel is due to be arraigned later this month on those charges.

On Schlegel’s latest charge, felony third-degree arson, he is being held on no bond. Third-degree arson is “willfully burning personal property,” according to Idaho law. His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday afternoon.

“We filed third-degree arson, which is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $50,000 fine,” John Dewey, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Bonneville County tells EastIdahoNews.com. “We are waiting for additional information to come in to see if an amendment to second-degree arson is appropriate.”

Dewey said second-degree arson, a felony, relates to damage to a structure and is punishable by up to 15 years in prison and up to a $75,000 fine. First-degree arson relates to dwellings or structures occupied or usually occupied by people and has a potential for financial gain. Also a felony, it is punishable by up to 25 years in prison and up to a $100,000 fine.

Damage to the Brady’s building and property is estimated at around $120,000.

“Our goal here is to get people in hot water,” Brady told EastIdahoNews.com, referencing the company’s slogan. “But this isn’t the context we’re referring to.”