Charges Dismissed in Petersburg House Fire

Charges have been dismissed in connection to a house fire in Petersburg.

Joseph Benjamin Pasker was charged with First Degree Arson and Child Endangerment following a fire at 1637 299th Avenue in Petersburg on July 24th, 2024. Officials say Pasker had reported the fire, advising that he and his five children were at the home at the time of the fire and had made it out safely. The Sheriff’s Office says upon further investigation, it was determined that the circumstances of the fire were suspicious in nature.

However, a judge recently dismissed the charges in Iowa District Court of Delaware County. Court documents state that the case was dismissed because prosecutors failed to bring Pasker to trial within a year of arraignment.