Man charged with arson allegedly threatens witness

A man charged with 15 counts of aggravated arson allegedly threatened to “take care of” a witness in the case, according to court documents.

George Hamblin, 49, of 1948 N. Superior St., is now also charged with intimidation of a witness. His bond was set at $50,000; jail records indicate he was released from the facility, but court records do not reflect how or if a bond was posted.

In documents filed at Toledo Municipal Court, Mr. Hamblin is accused of calling a witness to the arson case a “snitch” and threatening the victim. A man who was reportedly with the suspect lifted his shirt to show a gun, the documents state.

The 15 counts of aggravated arson stem from a June 17 fire at 1950 N. Superior.

Authorities allege that Mr. Hamblin paid Gerald Kanavel III, 32, of 639 Woodville Rd., to set fire to the property.

Trial for Mr. Kanavel, charged with 15 counts of aggravated arson and one count of arson, is scheduled to begin on Sept. 17.

He is being held in the Lucas County jail in lieu of a $1.52 million bond.

Officials have said that damage to 1950 N. Superior was estimated at $8,300. Lucas County land records valued the property, owned by Brad Eith of Toledo, at $12,800.

The aggravated-arson counts are based on the number of firefighters put at risk, the lieutenant said.