A Kalona man was arrested on first degree arson and harassment charges, as well as interfering with official acts after trying to build and set off a bomb. On Friday, at 2 p.m., the Washington County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a subject in custody in Iowa City with Washington County warrants. They arrested 39-year-old Reuven Miller of Kalona on two warrants. He was charged with first degree arson, a class B felony, first degree harassment; and interference with official acts, a simple misdemeanor. 

The charges stem from an incident that happened in Washington County on January 28th. According to court records, Miller told law enforcement that he had a bomb inside a residence in Kalona, and he had attempted to light the house on fire with the intent to burn it down with his father still inside. The device included fireworks, and nine of them did explode, but did not catch the house on fire. 

Miller is being held on a $100,000 bond in the Washington County Jail. A preliminary hearing has been set for February 11th. KCII will bring you more information as it becomes official.