The 14-year-old juvenile who was charged Thursday with four counts of arson in the first degree could be facing a prison sentence of 20 years to life if convicted of these crimes.
According to Daviess County Sheriff’s Office Commander of Criminal Investigations Bill Thompson, these serious offenses mean it’s not likely the court system will impose a light sentence, even with the suspect being a juvenile.
“I don’t think they’ll go easy on him,” Thompson said. “He’s facing many years if he’s convicted of these crimes.”
While Thursday’s arrest followed a report of arson that took place at Daviess County High School, where the suspect lit a piece of paper on fire in the boys’ bathroom, investigators discovered there was more to the case when they began questioning the suspect.
A series of arsons occurred during mid-August this year, all within 100 yards of each other. Three homes were set on fire during this time. The first arson occurred on Aug. 14, while the second and third occurred on Aug. 16 and 17, consecutively.
According to Thompson, there were residents inside each home when the arsons were committed.
“All of the houses were occupied at the time, so he could see more charges,” Thompson said.
These acts of arson occurred on Highway 764, which branches off Highway 144 in Knottsville and runs through Whitesville in east Daviess County. Thompson said that while the homes involved in the first and third arsons sustained minor damage, the second home sustained severe damage from the fire.
After gathering more information about the suspect after the DCHS incident, investigators discovered the juvenile lived in close proximity to the homes that were set ablaze. During the interrogation, investigators gathered information that led them to believe each act of arson had been committed by the juvenile.
Thompson said it’s very possible the juvenile may suffer from one or more psychological disorders that are sometimes associated with those who commit acts of arson at young ages.
“I think the young man needs some help, which we pray he gets,” he said.
As for what’s to come, Thomspon said — if convicted — the 14-year-old suspect will possibly be placed in a juvenile detention center until he’s 18. After that, he could see more jail time in an adult facility, depending on the sentence he receives from the judge.
Thompson said that even if the juvenile isn’t convicted, he can’t imagine DCPS would allow him back into the school after the arson incident.
“I can’t speak for the school, but he won’t go back to DCHS,” he said. “I feel confident that the school board won’t let him back in.”
DCSO has investigated arson before, but Thompson said he’s never worked a case like this.
“Historically, I can’t think of a serial arsonist I’ve investigated,” he said.
