A charge was reduced from a felony to a misdemeanor in connection to a brush fire in Cortez.
Bradenton resident Jody Young, 40, was arrested May 10 on a charge of felony malicious land burning, accused of setting fire to the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage Preserve, 11655 Cortez Road W., Cortez.
The charge was reduced May 12 to second-degree misdemeanor unlawful burning during Young’s first appearance in court before Judge Lon Arend in the 12th Judicial Circuit.
Witnesses said they saw Young use a lighter to set the fire and called the 911 call center.
West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski said firefighters responded quickly, extinguishing the fire within 15 minutes of a 911 call.
Young was released from the Manatee County jail in Palmetto on a $1,500 bond.
If convicted, the misdemeanor carries up to 60 days in jail, six months of probation, and a $500 fine.
His arraignment on the misdemeanor is scheduled for 8:55 a.m. Wednesday, June 21, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.
— Robert Anderson