UNION COUNTY, Ill. — Investigators say they've charged a man in connection with five arsons in the community of Ware, Illinois. They believe he even torched his own home.

The Union County State's Attorney charged 19-year-old Corey Iman Wednesday and took him into custody. Iman made his frist appearance in court Thursday morning, where the judge appointed a public defender for him.

The recent developments are a shocking twist to a story Iman himself talked to Local 6 about just a few months ago.

"I don't know why they do it to us," Iman said to Local 6 back in January 2012.

Iman told us at the time he saved his mother and brother from the mysterious fire at the family's home in Ware.

"The fire marshal confirmed some suspicions for us and at that point, we furthered the investigation," said David Livesay, Union County sheriff.

Livesay said it was just a matter of time before their suspicions led back to Corey Iman.

"We felt after that fire and several other ones that it was not an accidental fire," said Livesay.

The fire at Iman's home was the first. His family claimed vandals had thrown rocks and broken windows on their property for weeks.

The sheriff called in Illinois State Police and the state fire marshal.

"With arson and the threat of life being lost, we expended all of our resources," said Livesay.

Since January, multiple structures in the area have caught fire. But Iman is only charged with setting five of them for now.

When asked if there is video evidence to prove Iman's involvement in the crime, Union County Sheriff David Livesay said he could not confirm or deny that such evidence exists.

Local 6 tried to speak with neighbors and family this afternoon in Ware but they threatened our crew, used profanity and chased them away.

At the courthouse, Iman's mother avoided our cameras and said she had no comment.

But his aunt told us off camera Iman is not the only one to blame. She said there are two others who need to be charged.

The sheriff said the case will remain open.

"We have a suspect. There may be more to come," said Livesay.

Iman is being held in Jackson County on $250,000 bond. He will be back in court April 10.