A structure fire on Largo Drive led to the arrest of a resident of the home who is charged with arson.
Amanda Danielle Drye, 37, was arrested Sept. 9 and charged with arson first degree, misdemeanor obstruction of law enforcement officers and a probation violation for fingerprintable charge, misdemeanor.
In his report of the arrest, Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Dominguez stated he was dispatched to the residence on Largo Drive Sept. 9 in reference to a structure fire. He said when he arrived at the scene, the home was fully involved.
The deputy spoke to people in the area to find out if anyone was inside. He said as he approached the home, he saw a woman, later identified as Amanda Drye, between the trees coming from next door.
The woman told him, “I’m sorry; I lit a candle.”
Dominguez said he asked about her husband and children. She said her husband was not there and the children were in school. The deputy said he asked her to wait on the corner of the driveway, but when he turned around, she was across the street.
At that point, he placed her in his patrol car and went back to working the scene.
Dominguez said he created a police line with yellow tape and checked with family at the scene about the location of the children. He also requested an investigator at the scene.
He said Deputy Elliot and Lt. Carr arrived. Dominguez said he briefed Carr about the encounter with Drye, and he went to speak to her. Another deputy was sent to confirm the children were in school.
Dominguez said he spoke to another family member at the scene. That person said he was told by Drye that she set the house on fire. She was reportedly seen breaking the windows of the home with an object that looked like a bat.
“At the same time, Lt. Carr was with Amanda Drye, he mirandized her, obtained a confession and arrested her,” the deputy stated.
Dominguez said he took photos of the bags being carried by Drye as she was walking the trail before he stopped her from leaving the scene.
A post on the Jones County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page stated that Drye was arrested and charged with arson. She is currently being held without bond.
“Great work by Deputy Dominguez for his quick actions on scene. While he has only been on the road for a short time, he is learning quickly and jumping right in on big cases. We also want to thank the Jones County Fire Department and other first responders for their fast response and hard work in battling the blaze and keeping everyone safe.”
In addition to the information about Amanda Drye, the social media post also noted that Drye’s husband, William Jay Drye, is listed as a missing person. His disappearance was not connected to the fire. He was last seen by his family Sept. 7.
