GODFREY – A recent house fire and domestic battery incident in Godfrey has resulted in felony charges filed against a Godfrey man with a criminal past.
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Jeremy A. Ward, 49, of the 900 block of Enos Lane in Godfrey, was charged on Dec. 29, 2025 with a Class 1 felony count of residential arson, a Class 2 felony count of arson, a Class 2 felony count of aggravated domestic battery, and a Class 4 felony for his second or subsequent offense of domestic battery.
On Dec. 28, 2025, Ward allegedly intentionally caused damage by means of fire to the residential property at his listed Godfrey address. The fire also reportedly damaged various interior furnishings and decorations.
Ward is additionally accused of intentionally committing an act of domestic violence against a household or family member on the same day. Charging documents note he had previously been convicted of domestic battery in a prior Madison County case from 2019.
The Madison County State’s Attorney’s Office filed a petition to deny Ward’s pretrial release from custody in this case. According to the petition, the victim told authorities that Ward was “threatening to kill her” during the domestic battery incident before she was able to escape and contact the police.
“[Ward] then poured accelerate in the living room, starting a fire in victim’s residence, damaging the floor and furnishings before the fire department was able to extinguish the fire,” the petition states.
Ward currently remains in custody in the Madison County Jail pending trial in his latest felony case, which was presented by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office.
All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
