With one suspect in jail and others suspected of involvement, investigators continue to probe a Friday arson at the home of a Caledonia marshal.
The arson occurred at about 10 p.m. at 78 Main St. in Caledonia, according to Detective Ryan Rickert, of the Lowndes County Sheriff”s Office.
The house belonged to Larry Swearingen, who has served as Caledonia marshal for four years and as an assistant supervisor with the LCSO, for 11 years.
Damage to the home was “pretty substantial,” Rickert said, noting near total losses for the garage, kitchen and dining room, as well as smoke damage throughout the home. A sheriff”s patrol car in the driveway also was heavily damaged as was a boat in the garage.
District 1 firefighters responded to the scene.
After speaking to witnesses, investigators located and arrested Ray Lashawn McDuffie, 22, of 17 N. Church St. in Caledonia, Tuesday on charges of arson and accessory after the fact.
Swearingen may have been targeted for his role as a law enforcement officer.
“I”m sure it played some role in it,” said Rickert.
Statements from witnesses indicate there were others involved in setting the fire, which started in the carport, he said.
McDuffie was arrested in Clay County and is being held in the Clay County Jail on $75,000 bond for the arson charge and $15,000 for the accessory charge.
Neighbors of McDuffie were arrested Monday in Caledonia on burglary charges.
Ryan Patrick Perkins, 17, of 28 N. Church St. in Caledonia, and Christopher Allen Burns, 19, of the same address, were arrested in Caledonia by the LCSO for burglary.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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