Plea change hearing set for Mason City man accused of arson

MASON CITY — A plea change hearing has been scheduled for a Mason City man accused of arson and child endangerment.

44-year-old Andrew Lukes was accused of offering to pay 28-year-old William Rogers of Mason City to set fire to a vehicle at Lukes’ former home in the 1000 block of North Jersey. A fire was started around midnight on February 5th as the vehicle sat in the driveway.

A criminal complaint states that Lukes not only knew his children lived in the home but that their bedroom was on the side of the house that was closest to the driveway and that the children being placed in danger could be reasonably anticipated. The fire did not cause any injuries.

Lukes was charged with the Class B felony first-degree arson as well as the aggravated misdemeanor of child endangerment. Court records show District Judge DeDra Schroeder filed an order this week setting a plea change hearing for Lukes on January 13th.

Rogers has pleaded not guilty to first-degree arson in the case and his trial is scheduled to start on January 14th.