BELLE ROSE, La. — Assumption Parish Sheriff Leland Falcon reports the arrest of a Belle Rose man following an alleged arson incident at a residence Sunday evening.
According to the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a home in the 100 block of Frank Lane after receiving reports that an individual had poured gasoline near the doorway of a residence and intentionally set it on fire.
Investigators learned that 65-year-old Spencer Joseph, who lived at the residence, had reportedly been involved in an argument with another occupant prior to the incident. Authorities say Joseph allegedly doused the area with gasoline and ignited the fire. The flames were extinguished before causing significant damage.
Deputies observed evidence indicating the fire had been intentionally set. Joseph had left the scene before law enforcement arrived but later returned and was taken into custody without incident.
Joseph was booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Center on charges of Aggravated Arson of an Inhabited Dwelling. He was also arrested on an outstanding Failure to Appear warrant related to a previous charge of possession of crack cocaine.
He remains incarcerated pending a bond hearing on the aggravated arson charge. Bond on the failure to appear charge has been set at $1,351.50.
The investigation remains ongoing.
