Man accused of arson; bail $250k

COEUR d’ALENE — A man could face up to life in prison after police said he set fire to his residence.

Steven C. Deleon, 43, of Coeur d’Alene, is charged with first degree arson, a felony. Prosecutors also filed a persistent violator enhancement.

Fire crews responded around 7 a.m. on Monday to a reported structure fire at a Coeur d’Alene residence. Coeur d’Alene police officers arrived on scene to assist.

No one was inside the residence, which Deleon reportedly rents. An unoccupied vehicle was running in the driveway when first responders arrived.

Investigators said the fire appeared to be intentionally set.

The homeowner had reportedly contacted police the day before. The homeowner said Deleon had sent her a text message claiming to have destroyed the house, according to court documents, but police observed no damage at the time.

Police said Deleon arrived at the residence around 10 p.m.

Deleon, who court documents said was on house arrest due to a criminal case in Washington, allegedly told police he was home alone when the fire started.

Police arrested Deleon at the scene.

Deleon was convicted of assault in Washington in 2009 and possession of a controlled substance in Idaho in 2016. Both charges were felonies.

In Idaho, a third conviction for any felony is punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and a maximum lifetime sentence.

Judge Robert Burton ordered that Deleon be held on $250,000 bail and issued a no contact order between Deleon and the homeowner.