Firefighter Faces Arson Charges in Grundy County, Iowa
In a shocking turn of events, a Grundy County, Iowa firefighter finds himself at the center of a criminal investigation. The firefighter, Kendall Eugene Rhoads, has been charged with multiple counts of arson for allegedly starting fires and then responding with his fire department team to extinguish the flames.
The ordeal began in April 2023 when the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office initiated an inquiry into a series of fires believed to be intentionally set. Most of these fires were found in ditches, while some extended into nearby cornfields. Investigators also looked into fires involving structures on abandoned properties.
Just last week, this investigation reached a critical point when detectives apprehended 60-year-old Kendall Eugene Rhoads, a resident of Grundy Center. For the past six years, Rhoads has been an active member of the Holland Volunteer Fire Department.
According to law enforcement officials, Rhoads stands accused of deliberately igniting these fires and then swiftly joining the firefighting efforts with his department. He now faces 13 charges of second-degree arson and one count of reckless use of fire or explosives.
The investigation is ongoing, and the Grundy County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with further information to come forward.
As of now, Rhoads is being held in the Grundy County Jail, pending bond. The situation continues to unfold, and the community watches closely for updates.