Federal Trial Date Scheduled for Alleged Lincoln Hall Arsonist

Shelia Clemons, 57, of Jackson County, was arrested on August 06, 2025 by federal authorities and charged with allegedly burning down historic Lincoln Hall, located on the campus of Grace Covenant Ministries in Annville, KY.

The fire occurred on July 30, and the building was completely destroyed, with the roof collapsing onto the lower level. Clemons was charged with “arson of property affecting interstate commerce.” Pursuant to Title 18 § 844(i), it is unlawful for any person to maliciously damage or destroy by means of fire any building or vehicle used in interstate or foreign commerce or in any activity affecting interstate commerce.

Clemons made her first appearance in Federal Court on August 08, 2025, where she was advised of the nature of the charges and possible penalties. The court appointed Benjamin Allen as counsel for Clemons. The case has been assigned as 6:25-mj-06123-HAI.

The initial trial date was scheduled for January 07, 2026. However, on December 30, 2025 Clemons (through Counsel) asked Judge Robert E. Wier for a continuation of the trial for a period of at least 60 days. The prosecutors did not object to the continuation, and the trial was rescheduled for March 09, 2026.

In addition to the Federal charges, there are also State charges against Clemons. State Complaint Warrant #E05510005036433 was obtained by Deputy Sheriff Christian M. Collins on August 08, 2025, and was served and filed on August 26, 2025.

The complaint alleges that Clemons created a substantial danger of death or serious physical injury to another person/persons when she allegedly intentionally and wantonly started a fire by reaching through a broken window of the basement of Lincoln Hall and lighting papers on fire causing a structural fire that required the response of multiple fire departments and required three (3) firefighters to enter the structure in an attempt to suppress the fire. This put the lives of those firefighters at risk of death or serious physical injury. Clemons has been charged with three counts of “wanton endangerment”. She is scheduled to be arraigned before Judge Oscar Gayle House in Circuit Court on March 03, 2026. The State case has been assigned #26-CR-00003.

As with all cases at this stage of adjudication, the arrest is part of a preliminary investigation, and the charge is an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until provided due process and determined to be guilty by the court.