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Ocala
Friday, March 29, 2024

Ocala man arrested on arson charge after setting trailer on fire

An Ocala man was recently arrested after a witness says he set a camper trailer on fire.

On July 17, a Marion County Sheriff’s deputy responded to 20270 SE 155th Street in reference to a domestic disturbance and was advised by dispatch that 38-year-old Donald Gates had set fire to a camper trail.

An eyewitness reports he observed the camper trailer fully engulfed in flames before observing Gates exit the home and grab a metal gas can. The witness claims Gates threw the gas on the camper trailer and when the witness said he called 911, Gates stated, “you called the cops on me” and left, according to the sheriff’s report.

Gates was located and claims he did not light the camper on fire, the report states.

Gates was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail with a bond set at $5,000. He is charged with arson. A court date is set for August 17 at 9 a.m., jail records show.