Man Charged With Aggravated Arson

By Jessie Williams

A 38-year-old Lafayette man was arrested for domestic violence, arson and reckless endangerment last weekend, after allegedly attempting to set a house on fire with people inside.

 

According to a report filed by patrolman Elliot Sandifer of the Lafayette Police Department, he and another officer were dispatched to a Red Boiling Springs Rd. address on Saturday, January 26, to investigate a domestic situation.

One of the victims was outside of the residence when officers arrived and stated that  Mr. Lonnie Walters was inside “trying to kill everyone and set the house on fire.”

The report states that the inside of the home smelled heavily of smoke, and a male victim said Mr. Walters had grabbed him by the throat and knocked him down. 

After locating Mr. Walters, the officers smelled a strong odor of alcohol coming from him. 

Mr. Walters allegedly told one of the officers nothing had happened and that he did not wish to talk to him anymore.

Mr. Walters’ wife and their two-year-old child was present at the time of the incident. 

One of the victims showed police where Mr. Walters had gone into a small basement area, crawled up into the crawl space, and attempted to set the house on fire by lighting some papers in between the floor joists. 

The report states that Walters is wanted in New Mexico, but authorities there will not extradite. 

He was charged with four counts of domestic violence, aggravated arson and reckless endangerment.

Walters’ bond was set at $19,000, and he is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on February 13, 2019.