Sheriff: Two arrested for arson in Bleckley County, one linked to church burglary

Deputies say the arrests stem from a weekend fire on Country Club Road in Cochran.

COCHRAN, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Deputies arrested two people after a house fire on Country Club Road in Bleckley County over the weekend.

According to a news release, deputies responded to the fire around 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. An investigator with the State of Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire also assisted in the investigation, the sheriff’s office said.

Through the investigation, authorities identified 34-year-old Roy Daniel Gaultney of Cochran and 33-year-old Brittiney Jackson of Cochran as being involved in starting the fire.

Gaultney was arrested and charged with arson in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, criminal damage to property in the second degree, giving a false name to law enforcement, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes.

Jackson was charged with arson in the first degree, burglary in the first degree, criminal damage to property in the second degree and possession of a firearm during the commission of certain crimes.

The sheriff’s office said a subsequent investigation into a burglary at Crossroads Freewill Baptist Church also led to Gaultney being charged with burglary in the second degree and theft by receiving stolen property.

“We appreciate the quick response of our Deputies and the assistance from the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire in bringing these cases to resolution,” Sheriff Daniel Cape said. “The Bleckley County Sheriff’s Office will continue to work diligently to protect our citizens, our homes, and our places of worship.”