Geneva man charged with arson and animal cruelty
Katherine oversees editorial operations across all six brands. Before joining The Meridan Group, she spent 14 years at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, where she led the metro desk through its digital transformation. She holds a Master's in Journalism from Northwestern's Medill School.
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The State Attorney’s Office for Seminole County has formally charged Terrance F. Banks, 40, with arson and multiple counts of animal cruelty in connection with a Geneva house fire that killed 15 dogs and badly burned two others. According to the State Attorney’s Office for Seminole County, the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office arrested Banks on Sept. 28 after investigators said he intentionally set his home on fire. A State Fire Marshal investigator found that many of the dogs were trapped inside locked crates.Banks is charged with one count of arson of a dwelling, 15 counts of cruelty to animals resulting in death, pain or suffering and two additional counts of cruelty to animals resulting in pain or suffering. Prosecutors said he faces up to 115 years in prison if convicted on all counts.Banks pleads not guiltyAn attorney for Banks entered a not guilty plea during a Nov. 10 arraignment. Banks remained in the Seminole County Jail without bond on the arson charge pending a court-ordered