WCSO Charges Teens With Fire At Clara School Property

June 11, 2008


Tuesday, June 10th 2008, at approximately 0056 hours, The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department received a call reporting that a storage structure at Clara School was on fire. Citizens riding in the area spotted the fire in the early stage and called 911 to report it. These citizens also observed some individuals and a vehicle in the area and provided that information to Fire Investigator Mozingo. Members of the Wayne County Volunteer Fire Department responded as well as Deputy Johnny Walker and Fire Investigator Mike Mozingo. “Members of the Fire Department provided me with valuable information that led to the arrest of two individuals.” said Fire Investigator Mozingo. Deputy State Fire Marshall Ronald Jones was quick to respond and assisted in the investigation. The investigation revealed that a 16 and 17 year old individuals went to the building located on Clara School Property to steal some gasoline. A lighter was used to see if any gas was in the tank of a mower when the fire was ignited.
 
Sheriff Farrior said, “The Fire Fighters did an excellent job in containing this fire and saving a lot of property. They also were instrumental in solving this case.” Sheriff Farrior went on to say that everyone involved in this case came together and made contributions to the investigation. 17 year old Cody King and the 16 year old juvenile are charged with felony malicious mischief. King's case will be presented to the January 2009 Grand Jury and the juvenile’s case will be submitted to the Wayne County Youth Court. An estimated cost of damage was approximately $25,000 - $30,000.
 
When a 17 year old in Mississippi is charged with a felony crime he/she is automatically charged as an adult. Youth court has several options avaliable for the juvenile. King was in custody within an hour of the fire being extinguished.