ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Three men have been charged in connection with a large fire that destroyed the former Rock Island Livestock Auction Barn on Feb. 24.
According to a release from the Rock Island Police Department, arrest warrants were issued Monday, March 4 for 21-year-old Matthew E. Wooddell, 22-year-old William T. Kosgard IV, and 18-year-old Kadon J. Svec on charges of arson, felony criminal damage to property, and animal torture.
Wooddell was arrested early Tuesday morning by Rock Island County Sheriff's Office deputies in the 500 block of 15th Avenue in East Moline. He is being held in Rock Island County Jail pending his first court appearance.
Kosgard and Svec are still wanted by the department. Kosgard is described as a white male, 5’ 08” in height, weighing 190 lbs. Svec is described as a white male, 6’ 04” in height, weighing 194 lbs.
The fire destroyed multiple buildings on the property and claimed the life of one bull. The suspects were identified through an arson investigation by the Rock Island Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division and the Rock Island Fire Marshal's Office.
Wooddell has a prior conviction in Rock Island County for criminal damage to property and criminal trespass in July 2022. Kosgard IV has similar charges on the same date as Wooddell.
Svec has pending charges for criminal damage to property, and theft of a coin machine, with a hearing date of March 26 in Rock Island County.
News 8 spoke with the current owner of the barn, who was informed of the arrest and warrants. He says he's thankful to investigators for their work. He also said they are still waiting on insurance to determine future plans but are not using the facility for animal transport at this time.