Joplin Man Held Without Bail in Planned Parenthood Arson Case

A federal judge has ordered no bail for a southwest Missouri man suspected of setting fires at a Planned Parenthood facility and an area mosque.

U.S. Magistrate Judge James England on Monday ordered Jedediah Stout, 30, to remain in custody without bail, The Joplin Globe reported. Stout is being held in federal custody in Springfield.

Stout was arrested earlier this month and charged with attempted arson at a commercial facility for setting two fires to the Planned Parenthood clinic in Joplin. That clinic does not provide abortions.

“The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence,” England wrote, “that the defendant is a risk of flight, and finds by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant is a danger to the community.”

Prosecutors say Stout has confessed to twice trying to burn down the Planned Parenthood clinic in early October and setting fire to the Islamic Society of Joplin’s building in July and August. The mosque was destroyed in the second fire.

The allegations are contained in a motion filed Monday seeking to have Stout remain in federal custody without bond.

David Mercer, Stout’s federal public defender in Springfield, declined comment.