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Man accused of trying to blow up his house will face grand jury

Ivan Ray English, 49, waives his right to a preliminary hearing.

Ivan Ray English appears in Middletown Municipal Court on Thursday, July 29. English is accused of attempted aggravated arson from a suspicious gas leak that was found at his house. His case was bound over for consideration by a Butler County grand jury.

Staff photo by Gary Stelzer Ivan Ray English appears in Middletown Municipal Court on Thursday, July 29. English is accused of attempted aggravated arson from a suspicious gas leak that was found at his house. His case was bound over for consideration by a Butler County grand jury.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 8:53 AM Friday, July 30, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — The case against a Middletown man accused of attempting to blow up his house will go straight to a grand jury.

During his scheduled court appearance Thursday, July 29, in Middletown Municipal Court, Ivan Ray English, 49, waived his right to a preliminary hearing. Judge Mark Wall bound the case over to a Butler County grand jury.

Neither English nor his attorney made any comments. Both quickly left the courtroom.

English turned himself in to police July 23, two days after a warrant was issued for his arrest on a charge of attempted aggravated arson stemming from a suspicious natural gas leak July 16 at his home at 2218 Queen Ave. The gas leak forced the evacuation of several nearby homes.

Crews were dispatched to his home to investigate a strong smell of natural gas reported by a neighbor. Upon arrival, crews found all doors locked, candles lit, the TV on, and the home’s furnace appeared to have been tampered with, according to authorities. No one was home.

Police said English has a history of making threats to destroy his home. Officers responded to the home Feb. 19 after his wife said he had threatened to blow up their home.

Butler County Common Pleas Court documents show English’s home was being processed for foreclosure in March 2008 for failure to pay $69,408.97 plus interest and late charges from Oct. 1, 2007.

Fifth Third Mortgage Co. later withdrew the legal proceedings after entering into a loan modification with English, according to court documents.

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