Glenwood Man Faces Arson Charge

A 22-year-old Glenwood man is facing felony charges for allegedly setting three fires outside the Mills County Sheriff’s Office and Jail during the early morning hours of July 23.

Adam Houchin is charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony punishable by up to 25 years in prison, and possession of an incendiary device, a Class C felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Mills County Attorney Eric Hansen said one of the fires was discovered around 4:25 a.m. and quickly extinguished. An investigation by the sheriff’s office and Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office determined three fires had been intentionally set.

Houchin and his girlfriend had been involved in a domestic disturbance earlier that night and she was under arrest and being held in the jail when the fires occurred. Hansen said it’s unknown if Houchin was attempting to free his girlfriend from jail or had another motive for starting the fires.

A spray bottle containing gasoline was used to ignite the fires in the back of the building near a generator and outdoor recreation area for jail inmates.

Houchin was being held in the Mills County Jail on a $35,000 cash bond.