A $5,000 bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of an Agra man who is charged with arson.
A formal charge of third degree arson was filed Sep. 13 in Lincoln County District Court against Steve Thomas Bottger, 61.
Supplemental information filed by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Thompson shows that Bottger was convicted on April 3, 2013 in Lincoln County District Court of Assault with a Dangerous weapon.
Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff Cody Coleman states in a probable cause affidavit that at 6:42 a.m. on Aug. 16, 2023 he received a report of an incident of arson took place at 780377 S. 3470 Road in Agra. Coleman said the property belongs to Timmy Potter.
Once Coleman arrived, he was informed by Timmy Potter, Jr., that he is the son of Timmy Potter, the property owner, and that he and his dad have been having issues with the neighbor to the property, Steve Bottger. The son told the deputy that Bottger had come on to the property in the past and stolen trail cameras and deer stands and had gotten caught on the trail camera taking the items.
Timmy Potter, Jr., said they have had continuous issues with Botter since they caught him on the trail cameras taking their belongings.
He further informed Coleman the issue that day was Bottger had come onto the property and set hay bales on fire. He told Coleman he lives approximately ½ mile north of the address given and Bottger had walked to his property to harass him him and his wife.
Potter, Jr., related to the deputy the property the hay bales are on, which belongs to his family, borders Bottger’s property on Bottger’s north and west sides. He pointed to where Bottger’s residence was located from where they had been standing.
He acknowledged no one had seen Bottger start the fires but he believes it was Botter due to past issues.
Later, as Coleman proceeded with his investigation, he reportedly spotted an individual on Bottger’s property that Coleman was able later to identify as Bottger from a previous arrest. Coleman tried to make contact with Bottger, he states in the affidavit, but Bottger refused to acknowledge him, hiding behind some foliage.
Coleman said the previous arrest of Bottger for trespassing and larceny had taken place less than a month prior to the incident he was investigating that day.