Cecil County – The State Fire Marshal has arrested an Elkton man after making an arson threat against his mother and their home, according to officials with the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).
OSFM said that Wesley Austin Jones, 21, of 900 block of Stone Gate Boulevard, was taken into custody yesterday morning at the Howard Young Correctional Institute located in Wilmington, Delaware. Jones had turned himself in to authorities at the facility after discovering the charges lodged against him.
Officials indicated that the charges stem from statements that Jones allegedly made to his mother over text messages on March 9, 2017. The investigation was initially handled by Troopers assigned to the North East Barrack and later forwarded to the Office of the State Fire Marshal for further investigation.
The statements made by Jones described that he was going to set fire to the home with the victim inside, according to the OSFM. After a brief investigation the threats were confirmed and found credible, according to the Fire Marshal’s Office.
Investigators determined the threats were motivated by multiple domestic issues between Jones and his mother, added the OSFM.
Jones was charged with Arson Threat and Telephone Misuse: Repeated Calls.
Jones was taken before a District Court Commissioner where he was released on his own recognizance.
A trial has been set for September 22, 2017.
Image Credits: Maryland State Fire Marshal's Office