Last week, the Washington County District Attorney’s Office added murder charges to Roel Leon, the suspect of an arson that occurred in Hillsboro earlier this year.
In the early hours of January 2, 2022, a 4-alarm fire erupted at 231 East Main Street in Downtown Hillsboro, at the location of the Weil Arcade. Three days later, Hillsboro Police Department detectives arrested Roel Leon, age 34, of Hillsboro. Leon was arrested for the arson of the Weil Arcade, as well as arsons of 2 vehicles on the same day. Additionally, Leon was charged with a burglary that was committed in December, 2021.
During the investigation, the remains of a deceased person was discovered. The cause of death was determined to be smoke inhalation.
The remains of the person were recently identified as 40-year old Knapp, Ronald William. As a result of the death of Mr. Knapp, these findings were presented to the Washington District Attorney’s Office for review of additional charges. Today, after being arraigned on a grand jury indictment, additional charges of Murder-II and Arson-I were added to 34-year old Leon, Roel who is currently in custody of the Washington County Jail.
