Man indicted for arson

A Nespelem man has been indicted by federal authorities for setting a wildfire off SR-155, between Elmer City and Belvedere last July 8.

An enrolled Colville Tribal member, Mylan Williams, 35, is being held in the Colville Tribal Correctional facility near Nespelem.

A press release from Colville Business Council Chairman Michael Finley said the fire had been investigated by Tribal Police.

The fire consumed about 250 acres of brush land but threatened a number of homes in the area and scrambled a number of local firefighters to the scene.

“As the chairman,” Finley wrote, “I appreciate that the federal government has upheld their responsibility to indict this individual for this crime. In speaking with our law enforcement I have also been advised that Mr. Williams is also a person of interest in the July 31 occupied house fire at 1131 Tilmus Street in Coulee Dam.

“I believe this investigation has been completed and sent to the United States Attorney’s office in Spokane. My hope is for the family that suffered this tragic loss to receive justice.”

The indictment was issued by a grand jury for the United States District Court.

If convicted federally, Finley stated, Williams faces up to five years in prison on the arson charge.

There were two fires in the general area, the one Williams was indicted for, and another in the Lone Pine area the night before where some homes were evacuated. A brisk wind fanned this fire and it brought out a number of fire fighting units, including a helicopter that scooped river water to attack the blaze on inaccessible slopes.