Downstate man charged in setting fire at Planned Parenthood clinic in Peoria

Tyler Massengill acknowledged setting a fire at a Peoria Planned Parenthood office, telling investigators that his then-girlfriend had had an abortion at the clinic three years before and it upset him. (AP Photos)

CHICAGO — A central Illinois man was charged Wednesday with setting fire to a Planned Parenthood clinic earlier this month, federal law enforcement said.

Tyler W. Massengill, 32, of Chillicothe, is accused of “malicious use of fire and an explosive to damage, and attempt to damage” the clinic in Peoria, the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement.