Spooner Convicted of First Degree Arson

A Waterloo man convicted of first degree arson after a fatal 2022 fire, will spend a maximum of 25 years in prison. 61-year old John Spooner was sentenced Monday in Black Hawk County District Court. Tony Grider died in the house fire in August 2022. Surveillance video showed Spooner with a gas can and lighter near his home.  Spooner will have to serve a minimum of 17 1/2 years on an arson charge in order to be eligible for parole. He is also charged with Grider’s murder, but a trial date hasn’t been set.