Roy Anthony Potter of Kelly has pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of intentionally setting fire to grass, brushlands and woodlands in Bladen and Columbus counties.
A press release said that between May 17, 2021, and Aug. 9, 2021, the N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) Law Enforcement Branch investigated 25 wildfires in Bladen and Columbus counties that occurred in the Kelly and Riegelwood communities. The cause of the fires was determined to be the result of incendiary devices being thrown from a vehicle window while driving along roadways. Following a three-month investigation, N.C. Forest Service law enforcement officers identified Potter as the primary suspect.
Through a cooperative effort with Bladen County Sheriff’s Office, Bladen County deputies arrested Potter, 61, following a traffic stop where Potter was found to be illegally in possession of a concealed firearm due to a previous felony conviction. Potter’s vehicle was then seized by N.C. Forest Service law enforcement officers who, after obtaining a search warrant, found several containers and incendiary devices.
Potter was arrested by NCFS law enforcement officers and charged with 18 felony counts in Bladen County and another six felony counts in Columbus County. On Oct. 30, Potter pleaded guilty to the charges in Bladen County. On Nov. 13, two weeks later, he pleaded guilty to the charges in Columbus County.
At the request of the Forest Service, Potter was ordered to pay nearly $9,300 in restitution to the Kelly Volunteer Fire Department in Bladen County and an additional $461 in restitution to the Acme, Delco and Riegelwood Volunteer Fire Departments in Columbus County.
Potter was sentenced to five consecutive suspended sentences with 36 months of supervised probation for his role in the fires in Bladen County and another three consecutive suspended sentences with 36 months of supervised probation for his role in the fires in Columbus County. Each sentence carries a maximum of 17 months jail time.
