MORGAN COUNTY — A Georgia man has been arrested for cruelty to children and arson. An associate from Chicago was also arrested for arson after an incident that occurred Jan. 6.
On Jan. 7, Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office arrested 25-year-old Carl Johnson, of Chicago, and 29-year-old Maynard Ray Moses, of Madison.
Moses faces 1 count of Arson in the First Degree, 1 count of Cruelty to Children, and 1 count of Burglary.
Johnson faces 1 count of Arson in the First Degree, 1 count of Giving a False Name, and 1 count of Obstruction. Both individuals are currently in the Morgan County Jail.
The charges stem from a Jan. 6 fire that occurred at a Morgan County estate sitting on a 1,000 acre property. After arriving on scene, fire investigators discovered five completely destroyed cabins. The five buildings were separated, but connected by a deck walkway.
The investigation revealed that the fires were started intentionally and therefore they were ruled arson.
A search warrant was then taken out on two persons of interest to check their current residences. According to the state insurance commissioner’s office, during the search, items were found that placed the two men at the location where the fires had occurred.
In addition to the items found placing the men at the scene, investigators observed three children, aged 5 months, 7 months, and 3-years- old, that appeared “malnourished.” Consequently, the Department of Family and Children Services was called to the location.
All three children were taken to Morgan Medical Center after “DFCS determined they were malnourished and neglected,” Morgan County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Keith Howard said.
“In addition to the allegations of arson that completely destroyed 5 structures, one of these men faces allegations of cruelty to children,” said Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King. “In fact, after transporting the oldest child to Egleston Children’s Hospital, we learned the child could have potentially been dead within a week without treatment. I’m proud of the work of our investigators and local Morgan County officials to get these children the proper care they need and deserve.”
Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office assisted the Morgan County Fire Department and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation. First Degree Arson is a felony punishable by a fine of no more than $50,000 or by a prison term between one and twenty years, or both.
Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we could earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links.
