JEFFERSON COUNTY — Bail has been set at $100,000 for a 19-year-old Mt. Vernon man formally charged Thursday in Jefferson County court with aggravated arson.

Cortez Johnson is facing a Class X felony charge of aggravated arson knowing people were present. Police reports say they responded around 1:19 a.m.

Wednesday to a call of a fire being set at a home in the 700 block of South 21st Street in Mt. Vernon.

According to the Mt. Vernon Police Department, they responded to the scene with the Mt. Vernon Fire Department and an arson investigation was quickly initiated.

Officers reportedly discovered an item that had apparently been ignited and then thrown at the house causing the siding to catch fire.

Through further investigation suspects were identified. Officers responded to a known area for the suspects and took Johnson and three juveniles into custody.

The three juveniles were released pending further investigation.

Johnson is next scheduled to appear in court August 28 for a preliminary hearing and first appearance with his court appointed attorney.