A Beckley man was arrested Tuesday for first degree arson after an investigation by Beckley Police revealed his alleged part in a structure fire that occurred June 20 at 509 Johnstown Road.
Luther Louis Johnson, 38, of Temple Street, was remanded to Southern Regional Jail after he turned himself into police, Detective Frank Priddy explained.
Priddy said that several witnesses claim they saw Johnson in the area of the home at the time of the fire. The homeowner filed a police report a week prior to the fire, claiming Johnson had made threats to burn the house down, Priddy added.
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Police believe Johnson used a Molotov cocktail — a make-shift bomb made by using a breakable container, a flammable liquid and a rag wick — to ignite the structure. The fire caused damage to the rear of the residence, however Priddy said the damage was not severe and the home can be rehabilitated.
The Beckley Fire Department was dispatched to the scene just after 3 a.m., and extinguished the fire, police explained.
The occupants of the residence were not home at the time of the blaze, which was reported by a passerby, and no injuries were sustained, Priddy said and applauded the homeowner’s actions of reporting the threats to police.
“The fact the homeowner filed a report was very helpful,” Priddy said. “He took the threat seriously—and rightfully so since the individual followed through with his threats—and did the right thing by reporting it to police.”
Johnson was remanded to SRJ on a $100,000 bond after being arraigned by Magistrate Steve Massie. If convicted, he could face 10 to 20 years behind bars, Priddy added.
Johnson will have a preliminary hearing within the next 10 days.
Priddy encouraged anyone experiencing similar threats to take them seriously and file a police report.
