Arson Arrests For Fires In Waterville and Sandy River Plantation

Two men have been charged with arson for separate fires in Waterville and Sandy River Plantation.

Public Safety spokesman Steve McCausland says 46-year-old Michael Jerrier of 17 College Avenue in Waterville is accused of setting fire to his own apartment. Investigators with the State Fire Marshal's office say Jerrier allegedly set fire to a mattress in his bedroom late Saturday night. The blaze was quickly extinguished by Waterville firefighters and there was no damage to the other 14 apartments in the building.

Officials say Jerrier has a history of self-inflicted burn injuries, including two instances in 2016 when he burned himself with a cigarette lighter. He was taken to MaineGeneral Hospital in Waterville for evaluation after the latest fire and was arrested when he was released.

In a separate incident, a Massachusetts man is now the third person charged in connection with an arson fire discovered earlier this month that destroyed a bulldozer in Sandy River Plantation.  23-year-old Michael Stanley of Gardner, Massachusetts was arrested by police in that state on Wednesday, November 22nd, and is being held on a fugitive from justice charge, awaiting his extradition to Maine. Investigators with the Fire Marshal's office say Stanley was friends with two Maine men who were previously charged for the crime, 37-year-old Alexander Allan and 18-year-old Devon Clark, both of Dallas Plantation.

The burned-out Caterpillar bulldozer was discovered in a swamp on November 14th by hunters. Damage was estimated at $100,000.