Overview
- Multiple witnesses reported seeing a man standing over a brush fire south of Highway 74, and deputies detained a suspect after responding to the call on Monday, June 29.
- The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office identified the arrestee as 25-year-old Royce Ben Jameson of New Mexico and said he faces charges of setting fire to woods or prairie and third-degree criminal trespass.
- Investigators reported finding a lighter near the fire’s origin and the suspect is being held at the Jefferson County Detention Center on a $5,000 cash or surety bond.
- A deputy used a fire extinguisher to slow the blaze until Jeffco wildland crews arrived to douse hot spots, and local officials say the fire was contained quickly without spreading to larger fires.
- Body-camera footage released by one outlet uses a different name for the arrestee, a discrepancy flagged in coverage, and the arrest draws extra attention because strong winds and dry conditions have fueled major wildfires across Colorado and nearby states.