On February 18, 2021, at approximately 6:55 PM, officers with the Franklin Police Department discovered a fire in a file room of the Police Department building after detecting smoke. Upon further investigations into the cause of the fire, with the assistance of the Franklin Fire Department, contraband was located in a wall of the jail that is adjacent to a file room. Investigation efforts led to the arrests listed below in connection to the fire.
Lee Butler, 54, of St. Joseph Ln., Franklin, LA, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested on February 19, 2021, at 1:32 AM, on the charges of aggravated arson, attempted second degree murder – 7 counts, second degree injuring public records, and contraband in penal institution. Butler was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Eric Dennis, 35, of Tiger Ln., Franklin, LA, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department, was arrested on February 19, 2021, at 2:11 AM, on the charges of attempted second degree murder – 7 counts, second degree injuring public records, contraband in penal institution, and aggravated arson. Dennis was booked, processed, and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.