White County Man arrested for Criminal Damage to Property

Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office recently assisted with the arrest of 63-year-old James Christopher Hughes of Cleveland, Georgia. Hughes has been wanted for one count of criminal damage to property in the second degree since May 4 for his alleged involvement in setting fire to his own home off of Campbell Street in Cleveland on April 29. He was arrested and brought to the White County Jail on May 12, where he remains awaiting a bond hearing. “This fire could have been very tragic due to the fact that people were home at the time that it was intentionally set. Not only is this act illegal, it often times puts lives in extreme danger,” said Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King. “I’d like to say thank you to the local law enforcement officials that assisted in apprehending this suspect. Partnerships between state and local agencies play a vital role in solving these dangerous crimes.” Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office assisted the City of Cleveland Fire Department and the White County Sheriff’s Office with this investigation.