A 25-year-old Clinton woman is facing seconddegree arson charges following an incident in Clinton June 5.
Ellie Anne-Marie Dodge has been charged in Custer County District Court with the felony after she and another woman, Deadra Morgan, had an argument and Dodge allegedly set some clothes on fire in Morgan’s home.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the Clinton Fire Department responded to the home Morgan was renting in the 400 block of Prairie Chief, in reference to a structure fire. When fire personnel arrived on scene, they found the southwest area of the residence was completely engulfed in flames.
Once fire crews extinguished the blaze, they examined the scene. Fire Capt. Forrest Valentine informed Clinton Police Department Lt. Luis De La Torre there were signs of the fire starting due to electrical issues. Valentine told De La Torre it appeared the fire started in the southwest room where a couch was, court records indicate.
Officer Paul Sperle met with Morgan about the incident. Morgan allegedly said she “suspected Dodge burned down the house because they had an argument earlier that morning,” the affidavit read.
June 10, Lt. De La Torre interviewed Dodge. She allegedly told the lieutenant “She knew Morgan was not home because she had just left another residence where she had an argument with Morgan,” court records indicate.
Dodge allegedly told Lt. De La Torre she lit some clothes on fire in the living room located in the southwest area of the residence. Dodge said she lit the house on fire because she was upset with Morgan, the affidavit read.
If convicted, Dodge faces up to a $25,000 fine or imprisonment for up to 35 years, or both. A warrant was issued for Dodge’s arrest June 19.