Four people arrested in West Fork arson case

Joseph Bearden Jr.
Joseph Bearden Jr.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Washington County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested four people suspected of burning down a vacant, mobile home in West Fork, said Tyler McCartney, county assistant fire marshal.

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Joseph Bearden Sr.

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Michael Thomas

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Marietta Nevel

Joseph Bearden Sr., 54, Joseph Bearden Jr., 32, both of West Fork, Michael Thomas, 42, and Marietta Nevel, 44, both of Huntsville, were arrested Wednesday in connection with arson or accomplice to arson, according to preliminary police reports and Washington County Detention Center online records.

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One other man deputies think is involved hasn't yet been arrested, McCartney said.

Joseph Bearden Jr. told a man to move off the property at 19190 Strickler Road this past October, according to the report. The 46-acres is owned by Danny and Julie Remington, county property records show.

The man moved without getting an official eviction notice and left his mobile home with his belongings behind, according to the report. The home was left on the property for months, according to the affidavit.

A property owner must have the renter served with an eviction notice via the Washington County Sheriff's Office, McCartney said. That never happened, the report shows.

While burning the home, group members thought they were having a party, McCartney said. No one called a fire department, he said.

A video of the burning was posted to a Facebook page called "Redneck Land," according to the affidavit. Group members labeled themselves "redneck" and posted Confederate flag images online. Bearden Jr. goes by "Redneck" for his nickname on Facebook and "redneck from hell" for his online chat function.

Bearden Jr. also owns "Rednecks Metal Recycling," which hauls off scrap metal, according to an online social media website. The business isn't listed with the secretary of state.

Bearden Jr. was arrested in connection with arson, first-degree criminal mischief, illegal dumping, knowingly causing air pollution and managing solid waste in a way likely to create a public health hazard and violation of probation or a suspended sentence, according to the preliminary report.

Bearden Sr., Thomas and Nevel were arrested in connection with accomplice to arson, accomplice to first-degree criminal mischief, accomplice to illegal dumping, accomplice to knowingly causing air pollution and managing solid waste in a way likely to create a public health hazard.

All four were at the Washington County Detention Center with no bonds Thursday.

NW News on 04/28/2017

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