Lang
9/25/25
An Iowa City arson suspect has been sentenced to 87 days in jail.
44-year-old Kenneth Davis was given credit on Monday for the time he’s already served in the Johnson County Jail.
Davis is allegedly seen on surveillance footage behind DC’s Bar on South Dubuque Street at around 10:30 on the night of October 28th, 2024. He reportedly pulled out a lighter, set an air conditioning unit on fire, and walked away.
Davis, who lives on 480th Street between Sharon Center and Hills, was later apprehended and allegedly admitted to setting the fire. The air conditioning unit suffered heavy, non-repairable damage. The cost to replace the unit was estimated at approximately $6,000.
Davis was charged with 1st Degree Arson and 2nd Degree Criminal Mischief. If convicted on both counts, he could have been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Last Friday Davis entered a guilty plea to a 4th Degree Criminal Mischief charge. The original charges were dismissed.
Just over three weeks before the reported arson, Davis was fined $855 for placing religious reading materials on the steps of the Johnson County Courthouse in July of 2024, then calling 9-1-1 to report “destructive” materials had been placed there, leading to a response from the Johnson County Metro Bomb Team.