A Grayson County mother and son have been sentenced after they set a Wax area house on fire.
According to sentencing documents, Deana M. Wells, 55, and her son, Jacob P. Richards, 32, both of Wax, were sentenced by Judge Kenneth H. Goff III to five years in prison after reaching a plea deal that amended the original charge of second-degree arson (class B felony) to third-degree arson (class D felony).
The pair, on the evening of March 2, 2021, set fire to a home in the 400 block of Washburn Road.
Initially, Grayson County Sgt. Jason Luedke was dispatched to the residence after the property owner, who lives out of town, informed authorities that a burglary alarm was sounding at the home. The caller also said she saw someone on surveillance cameras running from the property.
Soon after, the owner reported seeing smoke on surveillance video, with Wax fire personnel responding and requesting additional manpower from the Leitchfield and Clarkson Fire Departments.
Upon arriving at the residence, firefighters found the back of the home — which appeared to be an addition — fully engulfed as fire spread into the attic area of the residence.
Firefighters battled the blaze from inside and outside the residence for about two hours, saving the home from total destruction. The attic area and addition were thoroughly burned, with fire burning a hole in the roof, as well. Firefighters, though, were able to salvage the right side of the residence and possibly its contents.
Officials said an accelerant was “obviously” used to start the fire.
(Photo l-r: Deana M. Wells, courtesy of social media, Jacob P. Richards, mugshot from previous arrest)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
