 Horses killed during arson spree
Clyde, MI (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Sep 9, 2006
County: Allegan
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: John Jay Searles
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A 23-year-old Marysville man was arraigned on Sept 21, 2006 on nine criminal charges, including assault with intent to murder, for setting six Sept. 9 fires in Clyde Township.
While about 30 people watched via closed-circuit television, John Jay Searles was arraigned in St. Clair County District Court in Port Huron.
Searles, who was arrested on Sept 20, 2006, faces up to life in prison. He was charged with seven felonies and two misdemeanors.
The fires on McLain Road included a barn fire that killed 18 horses at Classic Quarter Horses, a porch fire set while a family slept and one that burned a pick-up truck. Magistrate Stephen Thomas set Searles' preliminary examination for 9:30 a.m. Oct. 3. He is in the St. Clair County jail in Port Huron Township on $750,000 bond.
"I don't think I'm a danger to the people and the community," Searles said when Thomas asked him what bond amount should be set.
County Prosecutor Mike Wendling asked Thomas to set a high bond, saying Searles received fire training while in the U.S. Coast Guard and could set more fires if not in jail.
Petty Officer Matt Scholfield, with the U.S. Coast Guard's district headquarters in Cleveland, said Searles is not in a database of active servicemen. Scholfield did not have access to past records, but said some servicemen are trained to fight fires on boats.
Beverly McCollum, owner of Classic Quarter Horses, said she had mixed emotions after the arraignment.
While she is glad Searles has been caught, McCollum said the fire ruined the horse-breeding program she'd been nurturing for 18 years.
Among the horses that died in the fire was Lets Go First Class - a 14-year-old stallion that was a two-time reserve national champion. The fire also killed a promising young stallion, XS Class, who was 6.
"There was a breeding program out there in that barn that I've been working on for 18 years," McCollum said. "Three generations have been wiped out."
Wendling said Searles later could be charged with animal cruelty. The horses' monetary value was taken into consideration when assessing the damage done to McCollum's barn, he said.
Rachel Leveille, who lives on McLain Road, said she was disappointed Searles wasn't charged with animal cruelty.
When the barn caught fire, she and her daughter rushed across the road, desperate to free the horses.
"It was just cold and calculated and terrorism of a neighborhood," Leveille said.
The Charges:
PORCH FIRE: Attempted murder, up to life prison; arson of an occupied dwelling, up to 20 years in prison.
CLASSIC QUARTER HORSES: Arson of property, preparation to commit arson and arson of personal property worth more than $20,000. All up to 10 years in prison.
TRUCK FIRE: Arson of personal property worth more than $1,000 but less than $20,000 and preparation to commit arson. Both up to five years in prison.
DOGHOUSE FIRE: Arson of personal property worth less than $200, up to 93 days in jail.
GARBAGE-CAN FIRE: Arson of personal property worth less than $200, up to 93 days in jail and a fine. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
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