AGGRAVATED ARSON OF AN INHABITED DWELLING

AGGRAVATED ARSON OF AN INHABITED DWELLING
SPENCER JOSEPH

BELLE ROSE – Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrest of Spencer Joseph, 65, of 171 Frank Lane, Belle Rose, La., on felony charges arising from an incident which occurred at a residence in the 100 block of Frank Lane Sunday evening.

Deputies were dispatched to the area in reference to an individual having poured gasoline in the doorway of a residence and then set a fire. Deputies made contact with the complainant who advised that an individual identified as Spencer Joseph lived with the complainant. On Sunday evening, the complainant and Joseph got into an argument and at some point, Joseph doused the area with gasoline and ignited the fire which was extinguished. Deputies did find evidence that a fire had been intentionally set. Spencer Joseph had left the residence prior to deputies arriving but later returned at which time he was arrested.

Spencer Joseph was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of:

*Aggravated Arson of an Inhabited Dwelling
*Failure to Appear in Court in Assumption Parish on a Count of Possession of
Crack Cocaine

Spencer Joseph remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing on the aggravated arson charge.

The bond on the failure to appear charge is set at $1,351.50.

For additional information concerning this News Release, contact Sheriff Leland Falcon or Public Information Officer, Lonny Cavalier at (985) 498-9353 or (985) 369-2912.