A former Bowie County, Texas, probation officer arrested for felony arson last year pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor unlawful burning and received a one-year probation.
Brandon Wright, 31, was arrested in September 2017 by Texarkana, Ark., Fire Marshal Stephen Johnson. Johnson watched as Wright set the dumpster ablaze at approximately 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 in the parking lot of the Links Apartments, according to a probable cause affidavit used to create the following account. Johnson was conducting surveillance following a series of six dumpster fires at the Texarkana, Ark., apartment complex that began July 28, 2017.
Wright was a resident of the complex at the time. Following his arrest, Wright was fired from his job as a probation officer for the Bowie County Community Supervision and Corrections Dept.
Wright appeared before Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson with Texarkana lawyer Joe Tyler at the Miller County courthouse on Monday. Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Chuck Black said the state agreed to amend the charge against Wright from felony arson to misdemeanor unlawful burning as part of a plea bargain negotiated after consultation and with the approval of Stephen Johnson.
Wright must continue in mental-health treatment and participate in any programs recommended by Arkansas probation. He must pay a $1,000 fine, various court costs and restitution for the damaged dumpster.
According to earlier reports, the dumpster required new paint and the plastic hinged lids had to be replaced.
Tyler told the court he has been in contact with the victim in the case and determined restitution to be $530. Tyler said Wright came to court with a money order for the full amount.
In a previous interview, Stephen Johnson described dumpster fires as particularly dangerous because of the materials which may be placed in them.