A Cusseta, Georgia man has been charged with arson in connection with a series of fires near Fort Benning spanning two years. Georgia Forestry Commission Law Enforcement led the investigation resulting in the arrest of 63-year old Samuel Lloyd Hudson, who is charged with two counts of arson of lands.
The first in a total of 34 suspicious fires began on February 15, 2017. Twenty-one fires took place on Fort Benning and 13 on private landowners’ property, burning approximately 500 acres. According to Georgia Forestry Commission Law Enforcement Chief Brian Clavier, a joint investigation by the Georgia Forestry Commission, Fort Benning Criminal Investigation Division and the Chattahoochee County Sherriff’s office led to Hudson’s arrest on March 27. If convicted, Hudson could be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Clavier said the investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely. Hudson has been released on bond.
For more information about timber security and services of the Georgia Forestry Commission, visit GaTrees.org.
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