Cedar Rapids man faces 16 charges for arson, animal abuse

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man faces 16 charges Wednesday after police and fire officials concluded he intentionally set fire to a residence he lived in, killing 15 animals that were inside.

Jonathan Jay Ramey, 47, was charged with second-degree arson, a felony, and 15 aggravated misdemeanor counts of animal abuse — non livestock, injury or destroy — at 1730 11th St. NW in Cedar Rapids on Oct. 1.

Ramey is accused of intentionally setting fire to the residence. Police and fire officials found about seven different areas within the house that started the blaze, according to a criminal complaint. Two smoke alarms were removed from inside the house and Ramey sent several text messages to the homeowner indicating he intended to set the fire and leave the animals inside, the complaint states.

There were 15 animals — four ducks, three rabbits, two geese, two dogs, two fish, one cat and one snake — killed in the fire, according to the complaint.

If convicted, Ramey faces up to 10 years for the arson charge and two years each for the animal abuse charges.

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