Suspected Arsonist Hides His Face In Court Appearance

DENVER (CBS4) - The man arrested on arson charges after a weekend fire at an apartment building was among those who were hurt in the blaze.

The fire on Sunday near 26th and Federal Boulevard forced some tenants to jump from their windows. A total of 11 people, including Kenneth Shepard, were hurt.

Shepard, 57, covered his head with his jail-issued T-shirt on Thursday morning when he went before the judge in an attempt to hide his face.

This was after authorities released his mug shot to CBS4 and other media outlets.

Court documents state Shepard is seen on surveillance video outside Federal View Apartments before the fire started with a cloth over his head. After the flames broke out he was also seen on the video leaving the building, again covering his head.

Shepard was living at the building, but a resident of the apartments told CBS4 on Thursday he doesn't think Shepard was a paying tenant.

Shepard faces three felony counts related to arson. The judge on Thursday doubled his bond from $50,000 to $100,000.

CBS4 discovered he has a lengthy rap sheet that includes numerous theft and auto theft charges.