DAYTON MAN CHARGED WITH ARSON

DAYTON - The Columbia County Sheriff's Office arrested 31-year-old Dayton resident Brandon John on Monday following two suspicious fires reported early that morning on Pettyjohn Grade Road and Robinette Mountain.

Columbia County deputies have been investigating a series of suspicious fires over the last few months, according to court documents. John became the primary suspect after deputies and fire fighters noted the presence of his girlfriend's car near the scene of the Pettyjohn Grade fire, which was reported just after 2 a.m. on Monday.

Columbia County Prosecutor Rea Culwell said on Tuesday that she plans to charge John with two counts of second-degree arson later this week. John's bail has been set at $100,000. He was to be formally charged on Wednesday. He is being held in the Columbia County Jail.

The documents submitted to court showing probable cause for John's arrest contain detailed notes regarding the circumstances surrounding Monday's events. The arresting deputy wrote that fire fighters believe they saw John's girlfriend's car, a red 2005 Pontiac Sunfire, in the vicinity of other suspicious fires over the last few months.

This was the car John was driving when deputies pulled him over near the Pettyjohn Grade fire Monday morning. After statements were taken by John's girlfriend and another male occupant of the vehicle, which incriminated John in the two suspected arsons, deputies booked John Monday afternoon.