Arson suspect in Perrysburg mosque fire to return for hearing

An Indiana man who says he wants to withdraw his guilty pleas in the arson at the Islamic Center in Perrysburg Township is to be back in U.S. District Court March 21 for a hearing on that request.

Randolph Linn, 52, of St. Joe, Ind., pleaded guilty in December to one count each of intentionally defacing, damaging, and destroying religious property; using a fire to commit a felony; and using and carrying a firearm to commit a crime of violence stemming from the Sept. 30 fire at the mosque.

He was to have been sentenced April 16 but filed a motion on his own behalf last month saying he was under duress when he entered the plea and wasn’t given time to discuss the ramifications of pleading guilty with his attorney, public defender Andy Hart.

U.S. District Court Judge Jack Zouhary today appointed Toledo lawyer John Thebes to represent Linn.