Wayne County man convicted of woods arson

MACON, GA (April 29, 2008) - A Georgia Forestry Commission arson investigation has led to the conviction of a Wayne County volunteer firefighter on felony charges. Seventeen-year old Jonathan Sumrow was found guilty of 12 counts of criminal damage to property by the Wayne County Superior Court for setting 13 woods fires in southwest Wayne County last summer. Georgia Forestry Commission Arson Investigators arrested and charged Sumrow in these incidents. Sumrow was also convicted of setting fire to two houses in his neighborhood, for which he was arrested and charged by the State Fire Marshall’s office. Sumrow was sentenced to 15 years in state prison and was ordered to pay restitution to the victims.

   As the agency charged with protecting Georgians and their property from wildfire, the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) has a specialized arson investigation team that is empowered to make arrests in suspected arson cases. With Georgia’s record drought continuing and an outdoor burning ban in place for most of north Georgia, the GFC reminds residents to exercise extreme caution when using outdoor grills, fire tools and lawn equipment. Any suspicious fire activity should be reported immediately to the Arson Hotline at 1-800-282-5804.

   For more information on wildfire prevention and services of the GFC, visit GaTrees.org .