OCEANA COUNTY, Mich. — The attorney for Matthew Krueger, who is charged withseveral arson counts in Oceana County and with making false threats of terrorism in Ottawa County, requested a mental competency hearing for his client Tuesday in court.
According to Oceana County Prosecutor Joe Bizon, Krueger’s attorney stated during a probable cause conference Tuesday that he’ll be requesting a psych evaluation for Krueger.
Krueger is also facing separate charges in Ottawa County for making a false threat of terrorism and malicious destruction of property after he phoned in a bomb threat and smashed his truck through the gate of the U.S. Coast Guard station in Grand Haven on Feb. 8.
According to court documents obtained by FOX 17, Krueger admitted to police to setting the fire in Oceana County because he was contemplating suicide. He apparently started the fire by placing a t-shirt on a hot plate and turning it on, according to detective testimony in the documents.
Krueger also lit another shirt on fire, but once he realized his dog was in the home and would be killed he ran from the house with the dog and left the scene. No accelerants were used and Krueger never reported the fire to 911, according to documents.
Just a few hours later, at approximately 6 a.m., Krueger allegedly rammed his truck through the Coast Guard Station gate after calling in a threat. The documents do not give any indication as to why Krueger chose to drive to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Station.
Krueger faces four arson charges and felony charges for making a false report or threat of terrorism and malicious destruction of property. Investigators said he caused more than $15,000 in damage to the coast guard facility.
He could spend up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
