A day before visitation services for a fallen Kanawha County firefighter, sheriff’s deputies arrested the man they believe is responsible for the blaze that ultimately led to the fireman’s death.
Charles "Darren" Roberts was arrested Wednesday night on charges of third-degree arson for setting a fire late Saturday night near the Steven Wayne Smith on U.S. 119.
Davis Creek firefighter Joey King, 61, responded to the call early Sunday morning and died when he fell from the bridge.
Roberts, of Alum Creek, admitted to setting the fire by using a cardboard box to ignite a tire, which then caused railroad ties to catch fire, according to Lt. Sean Crosier with the Sheriff’s Department.
"Roberts admitted that he lighted the fire," Crosier said. "That resulted in the fire department being called, and unfortunately, one of the firefighters losing his life."
The Kanawha Bureau of Investigation has been following leads since King’s death. The criminal complaint filed in magistrate court Wednesday night says as many as 164 railroad ties burned during the fire.
The complaint says Anna Kirk, a friend of Roberts, gave a statement to police about the incident. Kirk said she and Roberts went to Sproul Road after drinking together.
When the two were driving back home, Roberts asked Kirk to stop so he could urinate, according to the complaint. Kirk said she pulled over near a pile of railroad tires. Only minutes later, a fire had erupted, the complaint states.
Because King died while on a call about the fire, further charges are possible against Roberts, and others, according to Crosier.
"We have a lot of information and we’re going to submit that to the prosecuting attorney’s office," Crosier said. "They will determine if additional charges against Roberts and or anyone else might be filed."
If the prosecutor finds enough evidence, Roberts could be charged with a much more serious crime.
"There’s a possibility of death during the commission of a felony," Crosier said.
Crosier emphasized that any additional charges would come from the prosecutor after looking over the evidence. However, he says even more evidence will be collected in the coming days.
"Our investigation is continuing," Crosier said.
Roberts, meanwhile, has been a key witness in Kanawha County prosecutors’ case against Shawn Lester, the man charged with the three sniper-style shootings from 2003.
At a preliminary hearing in April, Roberts testified that Lester admitted to killing Jeannie Patton when the two were locked up at the South Central Regional Jail. During the hearing, Roberts testified that Lester admitted to killing Patton over stolen drugs.
At the time, Kanahwa County Public Defender George Castelle blasted Roberts as an "inherently incredible" witness who was simply trying to avoid further charges.
"You’re telling us that (Lester) came up to you, a total stranger until you were just recently jailed, and said ‘hey, let me tell you about this crime I committed?’" Castelle asked Roberts during the preliminary hearing.
"We got kind of close in there to be honest with you," Roberts said.
Castelle also pressed Roberts over the $100,000 reward in the case. Roberts claimed to have no knowledge of the reward or any incentive to come forward.
It’s unclear whether Roberts’ latest arrest will play any role in Lester’s prosecution.
A visitation service for King is set for 4 p.m. Thursday at the Cunningham, Parker, Johnson Funeral Home.
Emergency officials are urging motorists to be careful in the area. High traffic volume is expected.
Roberts is currently in the South Central Regional Jail on $250,000 cash bail.
