Conviction made in downtown fire

Bobby Ray Denton, 20, of Douglassville was sentenced to five years in the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) on two counts of Arson and 10 years of Deferred Adjudication for Criminal Mischief >=$300,000 for his involvement in the 2019 downtown Atlanta fires.

On Oct. 17, 2019, the Atlanta Fire Department was dispatched to the fire which started in the East Texas Tumblers business and spread to the All Day building and extended to Cobble Stone. While investigating, Atlanta Police Department was approached by a witness, who confirmed they had been with Denton in the early morning hours before the fire. The witness confirmed two more, smaller fires were lit in two vacant buildings. At a press release, it was confirmed that Denton had been homeless at the time of the fires.

Denton was arrested and held at Cass County Jail. In conjunction with his sentence, Denton must pay $12,000 restitution and $355.00 for each charge in court costs.