Arson suspect returned to county

Published 8:20 am Saturday, March 25, 2017

A Winchester man charged with arson for a February fire is back in Clark County.

Billy Jack Bowles, 33, of 4300 Athens Boonesboro Road, was charged with second-degree arson for the Feb. 16 fire at his residence, but had been incarcerated elsewhere.

According to court documents, Clark County deputy sheriffs were on patrol and spotted a possible fire at the house where they tried to serve a warrant earlier in the day. As they were about to force their way into the house, Bowles answered the door and said everything was OK.

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Firefighters, though, found a padlocked room within the house. Behind the door was a fire pit with a fire burning in it. Fire investigators said it appeared to be an attempt to burn the residence, according to the incident report.

Deputies said Bowles was arrested on a warrant for an emergency protection order violation. When they searched Bowles, they found a pellet gun as well as a seven- or eight-inch long knife in his jacket.

Bowles was arrested at the scene on the warrant and for resisting arrest. A warrant for second-degree arson was served by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office.

Bowles is scheduled to be arraigned Monday in Clark District Court.

About Fred Petke

Fred Petke is a reporter for The Winchester Sun, the Jessamine Journal and the State Journal. His beats include cops, courts, fire, public records, city and county government and other news. To contact Fred, email fred.petke@bluegrassnewsmedia.com or call 859-759-0051.

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