Ex-Con Accused of Arson at a Church Head to Court

A preliminary hearing is scheduled today for an ex-con accused of setting a fire that caused more than $200,000 in damages to a Catholic church near Mount Helix.

Eugene William Volk, 45, is charged with arson of a structure and vandalism of religious property. Following today's preliminary hearing, a judge will decide if enough evidence was presented for Volk to stand trial.

Volk, who prosecutors said has prior "strike" convictions from a 1991 vehicular manslaughter case and a 1988 residential burglary case, faces 43 years to life in prison if convicted.

He was arrested Oct. 10 as he walked near fire-damaged Santa Sophia Church on San Juan Street in Spring Valley, sheriff's arson Detective Anthony Portillo said.

The fire was reported Oct. 8 about 8 p.m.  just north of Campo Road and state Route 94. It took firefighters about 10 minutes to put out the noninjury blaze, which caused extensive damage to the church interior.

Authorities declined to disclose a motive for setting the fire or say what led them Volk.

-- City News Service