A Fort Wayne, Indiana, man has been charged with felony arson after allegedly setting his own genitals on fire in a detached garage. Christopher Peden, 36, initially told Fort Wayne police on May 6 that he had been stabbed, according to court documents.
Authorities later alleged that Peden admitted the initial story was untrue and that he had "harmed himself" in the garage. Court documents state Peden informed investigators that he cut off his penis with a kitchen knife, poured gasoline on it, and then set it on fire on the garage floor around 2 a.m.
The Fort Wayne Fire Department was called to investigate a fire at the garage, which was owned by Peden's mother and where his brother also lived. A neighbor reportedly woke Peden's brother to alert him to the fire. At the time, Peden was missing.
Officers encountered Peden, who was injured, and he was taken to a hospital. While en route, Peden allegedly told law enforcement he had been stabbed in downtown Fort Wayne and had been threatened the previous day. He later changed his statement, telling investigators he had been "dishonest" and wanted to be truthful.
Investigators recovered a red plastic gas container, four BIC lighters, and a kitchen knife from the garage following Peden's admission. Court records did not specify if Peden's genitals were recovered. 
Peden has been charged with arson, a Level 4 felony, and could face up to 12 years in prison if convicted. He posted a $10,000 surety bond on Tuesday, and a hearing is scheduled for next Monday.