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Richards pleads not guilty in Shawneetown Trail arson

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Arson suspect Lawrence Richards appeared in Randolph County court on Monday for his preliminary hearing and entered a plea of not guilty in front of Circuit Court Judge Richard A. Brown.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Richards, 29, of Steeleville, was charged on April 4 in alleged connection with a house fire on Shawneetown Trail that occurred earlier that morning.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Randolph County Sheriff's Office Deputy Eric Hamilton testified for the prosecution. Randolph County State's Attorney Jeremy Walker stated the cause of the fire is still under investigation and the parties involved are awaiting the report from the Illinois State Fire Marshal's Office.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">"Deputy Hamilton, after they cleared the scene, received information about the fire and that led Deputy Hamilton to talk to Richards," Walker said.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">During Hamilton's testimony, it was stated that at least two individuals claimed that Richards allegedly made statements that he started the fire.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">"I would very much consider this an ongoing investigation and we will evaluate any and all leads and any further information that we receive," Walker said.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Arson is a Class 2 felony with a punishment range of three to seven years in prison. Walker was asked about the possibility of aggravated arson or any other additional charges.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">"Charges can always be enhanced," he said. "Charges at any time can also be reduced. I'm not saying that will be the case in either way, but there's some fluidity in the situation."</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Richards is the grandson of Ralph Lohman, of Steeleville, who was well known in the county as a small engine mechanic and passed away on Feb. 5.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to his death, Lohman was renting the house that burned from Jane Boyd of Sparta, who is listed as the property owner on Randolph County tax records. Richards and an unnamed woman were residing in the house prior to the fire.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Members of the Lohman family have declined comment on the situation due to family members being involved.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Brown found probable cause in the incident and a formal reading of the charge was waived. The case has been continued to a case management conference on May 22 at 1 p.m.</span>

<span style="font-weight: 400;">Attorney James Kelley is representing Richards in this case.</span>