Mar 19, 2003 By April Straughters 3 min read

ISABELLA – Three Isabella firefighters, including the department’s chief, were arrested Tuesday and one arrest warrant has been issued for another in connection with the arson that claimed the Isabella social hall last June. Named in the indictment were Chief Steve M. Dugan, Assistant Chief Thomas Earl Baker, Vice President Jerry E. Booker and Trustee William A Robison all of the Isabella Volunteer Fire Department.

Booker, 20, was arrested Tuesday following his indictment on a charge of conspiracy to use fire to commit a felony. Baker, 33, was charged with conspiring with Booker to use fire to commit a felony. An arrest warrant has been issued for Baker’s arrest. According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Baker was out of town during the arrests and is expected to turn himself in upon his return.

Both Booker and Baker were further charged with mail fraud, a charge related to filing false claims to insurance companies.

Also charged with mail fraud and arrested Tuesday were Dugan, 25, and Robison, 22.

According a Buchanan, all four men are charged with perpetrating a scheme to defraud the Selective Insurance Company, which insured Isabella Volunteer Fire Department. The indictment alleges that the defendants fraudulently attempted to recover insurance proceeds relating to two fires, which were set at the Isabella Volunteer Fire Department social hall.

Specifically, the indictment alleges that Baker and Booker conspired to cause fires at the social hall on June 26 and June 30, 2002. The indictment charges that Booker alone set those fires.

The purpose of the scheme, according to the indictment, was to enable the fire department to receive insurance proceeds so that they could build a new social hall.

Booker, Dugan and Robison were all arraigned Tuesday in U.S. District Court, where bail was set at $20,000. All three men were released on their own recognizance, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office. A hearing will be set for a later date.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

Attorney Phil Fabiano, who represents the Isabella Fire Department as a whole has maintained the firefighters’ innocence since the ATF named firefighters as suspects in late October.

“All four (men) are dedicated firefighters, not fire starters, and those four individuals have and continue to serve their community as best they can. Eventually, they will be found not guilty for what they have been charged with,” Fabiano said.

The two June fires destroyed the department’s social hall and an antique fire engine housed in the basement.

The century-old, three-story building was home to a bar, dance hall, kitchen and auxiliary room on the ground floor, a garage in the basement that housed a 1937 International Pumper, the department’s first fire truck and a five-room, apartment on the top floor.

Residents have said that the Isabella social hall was a staple in the small community, for some it was their only form of recreation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaun Sweeney said, if convicted, the law provides for a maximum total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $750,000 or both for Baker and Booker and maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 or both for Dugan and Robison. He said under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history of the defendant.