A 43-year-old man was arrested by Ocala police on arson charges after he allegedly set separate fires at a local church and nearby residence.
On Wednesday, July 5, at around 1 a.m., a witness observed Rodney Deangelo Ferguson approaching Isom Memorial CME Church located at 1320 SW 4th Street in Ocala. The witness told Ocala Police Department officers that Ferguson then ignited the front door of the church, which caused visible fire damage, according to a social media post from OPD.
After allegedly setting the fire at the church, Ferguson began walking towards SW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, and another fire was started in the 400 block at a residence. According to police, Ferguson allegedly set a laundry machine on fire in a small covered patio located near the back of the home. The patio awning sustained visible fire damage.
Ferguson was detained by officers approximately two blocks north of the second fire location, and two lighters were found in his possession. He was also carrying an open beer can in his back pocket that was half-full, according to OPD.
The witness positively identified Ferguson as the arson suspect.
Ocala Fire Rescue responded to the scene and promptly extinguished both fires. There were no injuries reported.
Ferguson was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $20,500 bond. He is facing two felony charges for arson and a misdemeanor charge for possession of an open container of alcohol.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 8, according to jail records.