Accused arsonist in jail

Nicholas Andrew Patterson was still in jail on Monday, July 18, a week after he allegedly set fire to the unfinished McDonald’s restaurant in Sisters. His bail is set at $100,000.

Deschutes County District Attorney Mike Dugan said Patterson was scheduled to be arraigned on at least a charge of Arson I at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 20.

Patterson’s attorney, Jacques DeKalb, said that “Mr. Patterson clearly has some mental issues and residents should not be alarmed that this was a political act or about formula or fast food establishments.”

The nearly finished restaurant will have to be demolished and rebuilt. Steve Rodgers, with his family a partner in the project with the Darren Layne family, said that the insured building would be coming down by the end of this week.

The investigation into the arson is still going on. Undersheriff Larry Blanton said that “we gained significant information during the interview process,” with Patterson. No one else is being sought in connection with the crime. Results from the investigation are being forwarded to the district attorney’s office.

Assistant D.A. Brandi Shroyer of the D.A.’s “Arson Prosecution Unit” will be presenting the prosecution’s case.

Currently that case is likely to be based on a charge of Arson I, which could involve a sentence of 34 to 36 months in prison, with three years of post-prison supervision, according to D.A. Dugan.

The arraignment on July 20 was to follow grand jury proceedings earlier in the week, according to Dugan. Other charges may be filed.

Arguments are expected over legal issues as to whether the crime is more severe since a restaurant is a facility designed for use by the public, but was as yet unoccupied, according to Dugan.

Attorney Dekalb said that “our next step is to secure psychological evaluations … there appears to be some prior history” that Patterson has experienced mental or emotional disturbance.

“Deputies and firefighters did a real good job putting this case together,” said Dugan. “Arsonists will be caught. You go to jail and stay in jail.”