MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                                                     September 23, 2013 

                                           House Fire near Dogtown leads to Arrest

Sheriff Jimmy Harris states as follows:

                 Sheriff Jimmy Harris reports the arrest of a Dogtown man after a structure fire on County Road 81 near Dogtown. Investigators with the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, Drug Task Force, and State Fire Marshal’s Office arrested Anthony Brandon Burt, 27 after determining he was involved in a structure fire September 16. Burt was arrested and charged with Arson 2^nd, Domestic Violence by strangulation, Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substance, and Unlawful Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Burt remains in the DeKalb County Detention Center at this time.

                Members of the Dogtown Fire Department requested officers at the scene of the house fire September 16. The circumstances of this fire were suspicious and investigators were notified. An investigation revealed the fire to be intentionally set and evidence was recovered from the scene. Drugs and paraphernalia were also discovered and seized. Burt was involved in an altercation with a family member on September 18 in which it is alleged he choked the victim. Burt was taken into custody by Investigators at the scene of the fire.

                Harris states “The Dogtown firefighters did a great job putting out this fire and saving critical evidence. I hope we can get this young man some help and his family some relief. This has been extremely painful for them and we will do all we can to help in this situation. This is another example of how drugs can cause such destruction to a family. Friends in the community are helping in this case just like they do all over this county. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them.”