Arson Investigation Nets Additional Charges for Couple

The State Fire Marshal's office has lodged additional charges against a couple as the result of an investigation into a fire that killed family pets.

Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says the investigation started after a Canaan mobile home fire killed four dogs and three cats last year. 30-year-old Matthew Short, who lives next door, was charged with arson, burglary, and cruelty to animals.

At his arraignment last month, the judge told Short that he could have no contact with his girlfriend. He was later charged with three counts of violating his conditions of release, even though he never made bail, after investigators discovered that he had made several calls and written several letters to her from the Somerset County Jail.

The girlfriend, who was arrested last month on several charges unrelated to the fire, also faces a new set of charges. This after investigators found she was selling kerosene that she obtained from public assistance. Police say 30-year-old Sheena Moshier was using her Facebook page to advertise the fuel for a dollar a gallon. She was charged on April 5th with theft by deception and violating her conditions of release. Moshier is currently out on bail.

Fire investigators were assisted on the new charges by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office and the Somerset County District Attorney investigator.