Church Arson Criminal Complaint Shows Meyer Was Immediate Suspect

The Ames woman accused of setting a fire in St. Thomas Aquinas Church Tuesday was pointed to early on as a suspect in the fire, according to a criminal complaint on file at the Story County Clerk of Court's office.

Tina Meyer, 51, of Oakwood Road, was charged with first-degree arson, a Class B felony, for allegedly setting a small fire in the church's second level about 9:30 p.m. Meyer remained in jail as of 2:30 p.m. Thursday.

The complaint said several people were at the church at the time of the fire and told police that Meyer might have caused it.

Meyer's car was in the parking lot and she left the scene on foot.

Meyer appeared at the Ames Police Department before 12 a.m. Wednesday and was later charged.

According to court records, the only other criminal charge against Meyer in Iowa was a speeding ticket she received in 2004 for driving 6 to 10 miles above the legal limit.

Meyer has been appointed a public defender. A preliminary hearing set for Oct. 5, will be canceled if trial information is filed before that time, court records stated.

Meyer attended the church and some church members had been helping her.

Cleanup at St. Thomas Aquinas Church continues. Smoke from the brief fire left a fine layer of soot throughout the building and heat melted some light fixtures. The couch and a carpet were among the only items that burned.

A joint mass will be held at St. Cecilia Church at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday masses have been scheduled at 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. at the Benton Auditorium in the Scheman Building. A complete schedule is available on the church's Facebook page.