NORWICH – A Chenango County grand jury met last week and handed up several felony indictments, including the crimes of arson and burglary.

At the proceedings, the District Attorney’s Office presents evidence against those they wish to prosecute and the jury decides if there is enough reasonable cause to charge a person.

On May 12, the grand jury indicted eight individuals for crimes against the people.

• Jeffrey A. Maxson, 44, of New Berlin, was indicted for second degree arson, a class B felony. At 11:40 p.m. on April 26, firefighters responded to a one story home at 5156 state Route 8. New York State Police Investigator Jason Besset said alcohol may have been a factor in the domestic incident. He said Maxson’s parents, the homeowners, were not at home when the fire started, but other relatives were present at the time. Besset said Maxson, who is unemployed, had been living at the home for the last three weeks. Fire officials estimated that the home burned for about 10 to 15 minutes before emergency crews arrived.

Chenango County Fire Coordinator Matthew Beckwith said crews responding to the scene were hampered in their efforts to fight the fire by Maxson, describing him as “intoxicated and belligerent.”

Beckwith said crews ordered Maxson to leave the scene and he was escorted off the property by family members. “At the time we asked him to leave, we had not began our investigation into the cause. They we’re just trying to put out the fire and make sure no one was hurt. Later as we developed what took place, we realized this was not an ordinary fire and fire investigators contacted police,” said Beckwith.

The fire claimed the life of the family’s German Shepherd, and destroyed the home and all its contents, reported Besset.

The indictment stated the “defendant did intentionally damage a building by intentionally dropping a lit cigarette onto a pile of clothes starting a fire which destroyed the residence.”

Maxson was also indicted with third degree arson, a C class felony.

• Joshua J. Squires, 28, New Berlin, was indicted for second degree burglary, a C class felony, for allegedly breaking into residence at 11:15 p.m., May 5, in the Town of New Berlin with the intention of committing a rape.

The indictment claims Squires removed a bedroom window screen before reaching inside the window and grabbing a sleeping female victim by the hair. After grabbing her, the indictment claims Squires verbally threatened to sexually assault the female, which prompted her to start kicking and punching him as he attempted to climb in the window. “The defendant continued to try and gain access even while the victim was screaming and kicking,” stated the indictment.

• Jonas F.L. Parmeter, 19, 4206 South Lebanon Road, Lebanon, was indicted for third degree burglary and second degree criminal mischief, both D class felonies.