ENERGY, Ill. (WJPF) – A Herrin man has been charged with arson in connection to a handful of fires in Herrin and Energy last month, the worst of which destroyed the Energy United Methodist Church.

Damion Walters, 23,  will appear in court Friday to ask a judge to reduce his $100,000 bond.  A preliminary hearing is set for next Wednesday.

A total of five fires were set in the early morning hours May 26th.  The rest have been described as minor and causing minimal damage.