On Friday, August 19, 2011, Blake LaBarron Ables, (20) of George County, was arrested at the George County Sheriff’s Department. He was charged with one count of 1st degree arson, which carries a sentence of up to 20 years and two counts of 3rd degree arson, which can carry a sentence of up to three years each. He was charged for the August 9, 2011 burning of a home and two vehicles at a residence on Jim Jam Road in the Benndale community. Ables was brought before Justice Court Judge M.L. Goff for an initial appearance on Monday, August 22, 2011 where he received a $25,000 commercial bond.

This investigation was a joint effort between the George County Sheriff’s Department, the State Fire Marshall’s Office and the Benndale VFD

Authorized for release by Sheriff John A. Keel