WAUSAU — One of two suspects in an arson that badly damaged a Wausau tavern has been ordered to stand trial following a preliminary hearing.
Robert F. Hernandez, 33, of Wausau appeared Monday in Marathon County Circuit Court, where he faces felony arson charges in connection with the Aug. 4, 2016 blaze at Cabaret, 204 E. Rib Mountain Drive. After hearing police testimony, Circuit Judge Jill Falstad ordered Hernandez bound over for trial. An arraignment is expected to be set in the coming weeks.
Hernandez is the second person to be charged in the fire. Charges were first filed in September against Tony Patterson, Jr., 39, who goes by the nickname “Two Tone,” according to court documents.
Hernandez is free on a signature bond. A status conference is set for Nov. 28.
Patterson was a person of interest in the case early on after a bartender reported seeing him drive by the tavern several times each day after a July incident in which Patterson was booted from the tavern.
Investigators learned that the car Patterson was riding in was allegedly owned by the girlfriend of Hernandez, and that the three would drive by on a regular basis in the days leading up to the fire.
Police said witnesses also came forward who saw Patterson with Hernandez shortly after the blaze began. Additional evidence was recovered that pointed to Hernandez’s involvement in the arson, according to court documents.
The felony arson charge carries a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison and up to $100,000 in fines.
