September 22, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
A man accused of setting fire to a cabin on Smith Fork Road near Dowelltown last winter is under indictment for aggravated burglary and aggravated arson.
38 year old Joseph Huff Ray of Belk Road was recently arraigned in criminal court on the charges and his bond is $100,000.
The investigation began after a fire was reported at the cabin on January 12 at 10:27 p.m. The owner was not occupying the cabin at the time having used it as a seasonal residence. The cabin was destroyed in the blaze.
During the investigation, a detective of the Sheriff’s Department learned that sometime prior to the fire Joseph Huff Ray and his girlfriend had apparently broken into and taken up residence in the cabin without the knowledge of the owner.
The detective later learned that Ray and his girlfriend had posted photos of the cabin on their facebook page which were made prior to the fire. There were also facebook photos of a tractor parked near the cabin and a set of antique keys to the cabin. The keys were posted for sale. The photos were shown to the owner of the cabin who identified the property as belonging to him.
The woman with Ray at the time has not been charged with either the burglary or arson of the cabin. TBI assisted in the investigation at the scene.
30 year old Michael Joseph Lee of Old Snow Hill Road, Smithville is charged with aggravated criminal trespassing. His bond is $3,000 and he will be in court October 1. Sheriff Ray said that on September 14 Lee entered a garage without the knowledge of the owner.
41 year old Michael Lloyd Ballinger of Lebanon is charged with two counts of theft over $1,000, burglary, and vandalism. His bond is $40,000 and he will be in court October 1.
Sheriff Ray said that on August 22 Ballinger broke into a 2015 Chevy Equinox at the Long Branch Recreation area on Lancaster Road damaging the front and rear passenger windows and pillar posts on passenger side to gain entry causing over $2,000 in damage. Once inside he stole two bags of assorted clothing, a rose gold purse, An Iphone 11, and a 14 karat gold diamond engagement ring. The total value of the stolen items comes to $2,486.
In a separate case on the same day, Ballinger took a beach bag full of clothing and a cross body purse with miscellaneous credit cards with a total value of $1,050.
67 year old Matthew Edwin Riihimaa of Silver Point is charged with violation of an order of protection. His bond is $3,500 and he will be in court October 8.
Sheriff Ray said that on September 19 Riihimaa was found at a residence on Captain’s Point Road, Silver Point in violation of a court order to keep away from the woman who sought the action. It was the second time since August 30 that Riihimaa had been arrested for violating the order
60 year old Ivan Martel Young of Spencer is charged with criminal impersonation. His bond is $2,500 and he will be in court October 8.
Sheriff Ray said that on September 14 a deputy was dispatched to a residence on Ferrell Road where a man was spotted sleeping in the yard. Upon arrival the officer awoke the man,Young and asked him for identification. He said his name was Steven Young and he gave a date of birth and a social security number. A detective on the scene identified him and a check with central dispatch revealed Young has warrants against him in DeKalb and Van Buren Counties. During a search of his persons officers found proof of identification on him.