On Tuesday, August 19, Onslow County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residential structure fire on Countrywood Drive, leading to the arrest of a Jacksonville woman for felony charges.
Around 8 a.m., deputies received a 911 call for a structure fire, and upon arrival, officials say deputies made contact with the homeowner, Deshuan Middleton, of Jacksonville, who told officers he was asleep when the fire started and awoke to find the home on fire. Middleton told deputies that he and his girlfriend, Arielle Payton, 25, of Jacksonville, were the only people with access to the home and that they were both inside before he went to sleep, per officials.
Payton was not on the scene when deputies arrived, but was found later and arrested on unrelated outstanding warrants. Middleton sustained minor injuries, and after a continued investigation, officials say deputies established probable cause to charge Payton in connection with the fire.
Payton has been charged with the following:
- Felony Malicious Use of Explosive or Incendiary
- Misdemeanor Simple Assault (x2)
- 2nd Degree Trespassing
Payton is being held in the Onslow County Detention Center under a $43,750 secured bond, awaiting her next court appearance on Wednesday, September 3.
The investigation remains ongoing.