STUTTGART, AR – An arson fire destroyed several important documents in Arkansas County late last year. Now, law enforcement say they believe they know who did it. The fire burned the Stuttgart Courthouse Annex to the ground. U.S. Attorney Chris Thyer believes Donald Aaron, 45, from Stuttgart is responsible.
Today, bricks and glass are scattered around where the Courthouse Annex once stood while Aaron sits behind bars on charges of intentionally setting the building ablaze.
“We were pleasantly surprised because we had no idea who did it,” says Arkansas County Justice of the Peace Larry Gunnell.
Gunnell recently hearing about the arrest is surprised this could be at the hands of another, “as a matter of fact, when it started out it wasn’t even considered to be arson,” he adds.
More than $3 million in property was lost in the fire and all that’s left where the building once stood are simple steps. Documents from several county agencies were burned in the fire as well.
“We were concerned about the documents,” says Gunnell.
Gunnell says they were able to salvage some, but many are long gone. A mystery remains. It’s something Gunnell says he may never know.
“I really don’t know what the issue was and why they did it,” he says.
However, speculation is the talk of the town.
“The guy that they say did it might have gotten really angry and did it,” Rusty Marshall says, “He’s always kind of been on the other side of the law.”
Aaron will have his day in court, but until then, Gunnell and the others in Arkansas County will move forward.
“The county employees have really done well. They’ve done us a good job,” Gunnell says.
Aaron is still in custody and has been indicted on two counts. If he is convicted, he will face a minimum sentence of seven years in prison on each count.
The county does have plans to rebuild. An architect is currently working on the final plans to the replacement building. It will go on the same spot as the old building.
