Arrest made in Bonners Ferry church arson

Shane Rucker, 33, of Bonners Ferry was arrested Thursday on a two-count federal indictment related to the April 21, 2016, arson fire of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry.

The indictment was filed in the District of Idaho charging Rucker with destruction of religious property and using a fire to damage or destroy religious property. A federal grand jury sitting in Boise returned the indictment on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Rucker will make his initial appearance Friday at 9 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

According to allegations in the indictment, Rucker set fire to St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Bonners Ferry because of the religious character of the property, in violation of the Church Arson Prevention Act. The church was completely destroyed as a result of the fire.

For more on the story, check out tomorrow’s Bonner County Daily Bee.