Teen Waived To Adult Court

The teen-ager suspected in the arson fire that destroyed the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church has been waived from juvenile court to adult court.

Timothy Grevenstuk, 17, of Leesburg, is charged with arson causing bodily injury and burglary of a church, both Class A felonies; Class C felony burglary of a business; and theft and attempted theft, both Class D felonies.

Grevenstuk and his defense lawyer consented to the case being waived to adult court.

The arson charges are a result of the July 22 fire that destroyed the newer part of the Grace Brethren Church and gutted the historic half. According to police reports, investigators believe the fire was started in the basement sometime around midnight. Remains of an accelerant were allegedly found.

According to Kosciusko County Prosecutor David Kolbe, the Class A felonies are only one level below murder in the extent to which they can be punished. The charges were made Class A felonies because a fireman was injured fighting the blaze.

The state requested a high bond - "in six figures" - due to the seriousness of the crimes being charged.

Grevenstuk was taken into custody after the hearing and is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $150,000 bond.

Grevenstuk was free on bond while he faced charges of obstruction of justice and intimidation. He was originally charged with obstruction of justice for and intimidation for reportedly tampering with and threatening a witness.

Grevenstuk is the son of Sheila and Michael Grevenstuk, who were convicted of arson and sentenced to prison last summer for burning their Milford home to collect insurance money.

Sheila served six weeks of a four-year sentence, and Michael's sentence was suspended because of poor health.

Grevenstuk faces maximum sentences of 50 years on the Class A felonies, eight years each on the Class C felonies and three years each on the Class D felonies.