Ohio State student indicted for arson in post-win party

[Ohio Steeler]

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- An Ohio State student was indicted on an arson charge in connection with a couch fire that damaged a car after the Buckeyes' victory over Texas last weekend.

A Franklin County grand jury indicted Jeffrey Allen Peters, 19, of Findlay, on one felony count, county prosecutor Ron O'Brien said Friday. The indictment was filed Thursday.

The fire set to a couch on an off-campus sidewalk Sunday caused more than $500 damage to a 1994 Nissan vehicle that was parked legally on the street nearby, O'Brien said in a news release.

About 40 fires were reported near the campus in the hours after the top-ranked Buckeyes' 24-7 win at then-No. 2 Texas on Saturday night. Police arrested 17 people, charging five with arson and the rest with disorderly conduct and alcohol-related offenses.

Of the five arson cases, the one in which Peters was charged was the only felony case, with damage exceeding $500, O'Brien said in a follow-up e-mail.

The prosecutor said some students have indicated that couch and trash bin fires have been a traditional way to celebrate football victories. But they pose a serious risk and will now carry a heavy penalty, O'Brien said.

Peters is scheduled for arraignment Sept. 27.

There was no answer at a phone number listed under Peters' name in Ohio State's online student directory.

Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2589569