On Monday, November 28, 2022 at 13:51 hours deputies were dispatched to a structure fire located at 3057 Hodge’s Switch Road in the Strawberry Plains Community. Upon arrival, they observed a camper fully engulfed parked adjacent to a mobile home. Fire had spread to a section of the mobile home and because of quick action by the New Market Volunteer Fire Department the mobile home was saved with moderate damage to a small portion of the structure. Bystanders on the scene told deputies that they had overheard Corey Allen Wells age 36 outside making threats prior to the fire and that he left walking toward Old AJ Hwy. Deputy Cindy Breton located Mr Wells in the nearby woods. His statement and evidence on his person led to his arrest. There had been an ongoing dispute with the couple who had been staying in the camper. The couples dog that was inside the camper perished in the fire. Mr Wells has been charged with Arson and Aggravated Animal Cruelty in the death of the dog. He is currently being held at the Jefferson County Detention Center. Jefferson City and Rural Metro Fire Departments also responded to the scene. Deputies assigned to Criminal Investigation Division assisted in the investigation.
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