A Tucson man serving 17 years in federal prison has been charged in a 27-count indictment in Pima County Superior Court.
Todd Russell Fries was arraigned on the state charges on Tuesday in connection with a 2009 chemical attack against a family on the northwest side.
The 27-count indictment includes two counts of attempted first-degree murder, kidnapping, aggravated assault, endangerment, arson of an occupied structure, burglary, criminal damage, obstructing a criminal investigation and cruelty to animals.
The indictment also has weapons and identity theft charges.
The indictment stems from an incident in August 2009 where chlorine tablets mixed with other chemicals were set on fire outside the home of Myles and Karen Levine.
The fires created a chlorine-gas cloud that forced the evacuation of much of the neighborhood.
In addition to the chemical attack, Fries, 51, is accused of attempting to trap the Levines in the home by using expandable foam to seal the doors and garage door.
Fries was convicted in U.S. District Court in October 2012 of unlawful possession and use of a chemical weapon and providing false information to federal agents.
In a separate trial in August 2013, Fries was convicted on two counts of unlawful possession of unregistered destructive devices. He received an additional five years in prison for that conviction.
At the time of the chemical attack, Fries was a recognizable public figure because of his television commercial for his business, Burns Power Washing.
Karen Levine has said a dispute arose between her and Fries over a job he did for the couple. She said the dispute was over a $200 charge.
Fries also is charged in a previous attack at the Levines’ former residence.
In 2008, anti-Semitic slurs were painted on their house and dead animals were strewn in their front yard.
At Fries’ trial in 2013, federal prosecutors presented an inventory of weapons and explosives. Included were dozens of homemade bombs, some packed with metal shards and other material.
Fries’ attorney argued that the bombs were intended to combat an infestation of packrats at Fries’ west side home.
