Feds urge prosecution of Lil' Opry owners

NASHVILLE, Ind. (WISH) - There are new details about an arson that destroyed a Brown County landmark.

The Little Nashville Opry went up in flames back in September of 2009.

24-Hour News 8 was on the scene as firefighters battled the fire and has tracked the investigation that followed.

On Wednesday, 24-Hour News 8 learned the investigation is complete and in the hands of federal and county prosecutors.

Federal investigators reviewed financial records and have recommended prosecution against Jim Bowyer and Esther Hamilton the owners of the property.

24-Hour News 8 previously uncovered Bowyer and Hamilton were not strangers to fire. The two have lost property or had property damaged by fire in the past.

Although the state attorney general and the Brown County prosecutor are reviewing the case, neither will comment on the case because they have not filed formal charges yet.

However, the State Fire Marshal and an investigator in the case confirm that the Brown County prosecutor Jim Oliver had a meeting scheduled to discuss this case with them on Tuesday but canceled that meeting and rescheduled it for next month.

24-Hour News 8 will continue to follow this story and report the latest details as they unfold.