AMES, Iowa — An Iowa State University student has been charged with felony arson after allegedly sliding lit fireworks under the door of another dorm room as part of a prank.
Matthew Joseph Kerns, 18, is charged with first-degree arson for the incident, which occurred Sept. 19 at the Friley Hall dormitory.
Police were called when a fire alarm sounded. When they arrived, they found the dorm hallway full of smoke. The hall also smelled like exploded firecrackers, according to police reports.
The victim told police that some fireworks had been lit and slid under the door of his room. Police went to Kerns’ dorm room, and he consented to a search.
Inside, they found two brown bags full of fireworks and loose bottle rockets sitting on top of his desk. Kerns reportedly admitted that he was involved in a “prank war” with the victim.
A previous incident involving a bottle rocket being slipped under a door occurred four doors down from Kerns’ room.
Kerns was arrested on the charge and released after an initial court appearance. A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for Oct. 8.
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