CASPER — A 46-year-old Casper man charged with starting three fires in the city since May — and suspected of starting more — allegedly told police that he turns to arson when he is upset with his landlord about having to pay rent.
Dallas Ray Smith appeared in Casper Circuit Court on Tuesday on two counts of fourth-degree arson stemming from two fires that he is accused of starting on Friday, one in an alley in the 700 block of East C Street and another by train tracks near Burlington Avenue and North McKinley Street.
He is also charged with first-degree arson, a felony, for setting fire to a two-story structure behind a motel in the 1600 block of East Yellowstone Highway on May 19.
Casper police arrested Smith following an interview about the Friday fires.
Other Fires?
A police affidavit shows that officers were called to the East C Street alley about 9 p.m. by a resident who found trash and weeds burning in the alley that were clearly intentionally set,
Court records show that while they were at that fire, another “big fire” was reported at 9:12 p.m. at the Burlington Avenue and North McKinley location, near the train tunnels. The resident who reported it had her door open and could smell smoke in the area.
According to the affidavit, the second fire occurred behind a chain-link fence between the fence and the train tracks, and it measured 25 feet by 10 feet.
“Officers were aware that Dallas Smith was a person of interest in previous fires throughout the summer, and went to the area of his residence,” an affidavit states.
The police department said there could be an arsonist in the city after five fires broke out in a 12-hour period on July 2.
Officers discovered Smith walking to his home Friday and took him to the police station for questioning.
According to the affidavit, Smith initially admitted to officers that he was suspected of setting fires earlier in the year but denied involvement.
However, as the questioning continued, Smith admitted to investigators that “when he has to pay his rent, he gets upset and angry because his landlord talk(s) down to him and insulted him.”
“This made Smith see red, and he eventually started fires,” the affidavit says. Smith struggled with managing his emotions during his departure. Pay the property manager’s rent; he wanted counseling for his problem but didn’t know where to look.
‘Relief’ To Emotions
The affidavit states that Smith told investigators he typically gathers leaves together and lights them on fire. The fire would “scare him” but also “provided some relief to the emotions” he was dealing with.
Smith allegedly told investigators that he usually uses dry leaves and a cigarette to start fires.
“Dry leaves do a lot,” he told the officers.
Smith admitted to starting both fires on Friday, according to the affidavit.
He started the fire on C Street with cardboard lit by a cigarette and then discarded it in the alley with other trash and dry vegetation.
According to the affidavit, he told police that he started the fire with dry leaves and other vegetation near the railway.
Investigators then questioned Smith about earlier this year’s fires in the Casper area, specifically a two-story building behind the Red and White Cafe/Motel in the 1600 block of East Yellowstone on May 19.
At 6:20 p.m., Casper Fire and EMS units responded to the structure, where they discovered smoke coming from the building.
The affidavit states that a fire was discovered inside the boarded-up structure and that the building’s utilities had been disconnected, but there was evidence of squatters using it.
“The fire appeared to have started near the floor on the first floor near some personal belonging and at the base of a bed frame,” according to the indictment. Food and water were also discovered near where the fire began.
The roof of the structure was missing in some areas, and “both the top and bottom floors were trashed and severely run down,” according to the affidavit.
A fire investigator was unable to determine the exact cause of the fire. According to the affidavit, soaking rains in previous days kept the building’s interior wet, preventing the fire from spreading.
Fire Hazards
Smith told investigators that the management of the motel had discussed how the building was a fire hazard.
He claimed he was smoking outside the building one day with another man, and after the man left, he “set fire to a piece of insulation in the building using a lighter.”
Smith stated that he was alone and that no one else knew or was involved in his decision to start the fire.
“Smith said he felt and was sorry,” according to the affidavit. “Smith did not want to endanger people or animals with the fires he started. Smith reiterated his desire for assistance and counseling.
On May 16, at 3:30 p.m., an anonymous male caller to the Casper Fire Department mentioned the building. The caller stated that properties at the East Yellowstone site were fire hazards.
“The male caller stated there were many electrical issues with the properties” and that the motel had “grease buildup on the stoves and the garage out back had chemicals and fire hazards in it,” according to the affidavit.
The fire investigator who listened to the call and then spoke with Smith believes the anonymous caller about the properties was Smith, according to the affidavit.
“Additional charges of arson for other fires started mostly during July and August will most like be charged as all of the information is compiles,” according to the statement of facts.
Casper Police Detective Leonard Jacobs stated that any arson crime endangers lives and the community.
“These reckless crimes will not be tolerated,” said the man. “We will continue our investigation and bring those responsible to justice.”
The first-degree arson charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $20,000. Fourth-degree arson charges carry a maximum sentence of one year in jail and a $750 fine.
Smith’s bond amount was set at $20,000 cash or surety.
