Volunteer firefighters charged with arson-related crimes in Robeson County
Ten volunteer firefighters were arrested Tuesday and accused of being involved in a two-year conspiracy to set numerous fires in woods and abandoned structures, according to the Robeson County Sheriff's Office.
Posted — UpdatedThe firefighters work with the Fairmont Rural Fire Department and the Orrum Fire Department.
There are approximately 90 arson-related charges in the investigation, and more charges are expected, authorities said.
"Not accidental, set on fire...what it costs taxpayers to answer these numerous calls. We've been doing this for the last six months," Sheriff Kenneth Sealey said. "Several woods fires and abandoned house fires in a week."
Sealey said a tip lead to the start of the investigation.
Carolyn Harriman, who lives around the corner from the Fairmont firehouse, said she is shocked by the allegations.
"I don't understand that. I mean, the job might be boring at times, but you don't go creating fires just to have something to put out," she said.
The following people were arrested and charged in the case:
- Melquan Williams, 21, of Fairmont, was charged with one count of felony arson and one count of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $200,000.
- Austin Seth Hunt, 23, of Rowland, was charged with six counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods, two counts of felony arson burning a church, uninhabited house or store, and five counts of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $200,000.00.
- Ashley Marie Oxendine, 18, of Orrum, was charged with two counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods and two counts of felony conspiracy. Her bond was set at $100,000.
- John Austin Huggins, 17, of Fairmont, was charged with two counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods, two counts of felony arson burning a church, uninhabitable house or store and four counts of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $100,000.00.
- Jordan Scott, 19, of Fairmont, was charged with four counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods, five counts of arson burning a church, uninhabited house or store and nine counts of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $100,000.
- Kenny Caulder Jr., 19, of Fairmont, was charged with six counts of felony arson burning a church, uninhabited house or store, two counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods and seven counts of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $100,000.
- Willie Fuentes Strickland, 42, of Fairmont, was charged with two counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods, one count of felony arson burning a church, uninhabited house or store and three counts of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $100,000.
- Jordan Emmanuel Hunt, 18, of Fairmont, was charged with four counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods, 12 of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $100,000.
- Shellia Huggins, 19, of Fairmont, was charged with two counts of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods, two counts of felony arson burning a church, uninhabited house or store and four counts of felony conspiracy. Her bond was set at $100,000.
- William Kendall Strickland, 18, of Fairmont, was charged with one count of misdemeanor larceny, one count of felony setting fire to grass, brush or woods and one count of felony conspiracy. His bond was set at $100,000.
Investigators say more arrests are possible.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call Lt. Kevin Graham of the Robeson County Sheriff’s Office at 910-671-3100.
Related Topics
• Credits
Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
