A Stockton Springs man whose dog was shot by police during an arrest last week has now been accused of setting fire to his home.
Rodney Damon, 44, is facing charges of arson, failure to control or report a dangerous fire, and violation of the conditions of his release for an Oct. 12 fire.
The arrest was Damon’s second in four days. Damon was arrested on Oct. 8 and charged with attempting to elude an officer in Searsport. During the arrest, Damon’s dog allegedly charged at the officers, and Searsport Police Chief Brian Lunt shot the animal.
The dog was later euthanized because Damon was unable to pay for surgery to repair the animal’s injuries.
Damon was brought to Waldo County Jail, but was released on bail later the same day.
Neighbors reported seeing Damon’s mobile home on fire Oct. 12, with the first call to the fire department coming around 7 a.m.
The mobile home, located at 18 Damon Road in Stockton Springs, was engulfed in flames by 10 a.m., according to an affidavit filed in Waldo County Judicial Center.
Michael Coffin of the fire marshal’s office found Damon outside of the home. Damon admitted to having started the fire himself by using gift wrap paper. He disclosed that “Something came across me to burn this place down,” Coffin said in the affidavit.
Damon allegedly lit a small fire with several different kinds of paper and two lighters, and helped spread the flames with liquid paint thinners, which he provided to Coffin. Damon’s admission was consistent with the evidence found on scene.
Damon also admitted to having recently used crystal meth and amphetamine, according to the affidavit.
Due to his loss of residence, mental state, and being under the influence of substances, Damon agreed to seek medical attention at the Waldo County General Hospital in Belfast. He was still in the care of the medical facility as of Oct. 15 at 8 a.m., when Coffin last had contact with Damon.
There have been no updates to Damon’s trial process for the charges he is now facing.
