A Hopkinsville man was indicted Friday by the Christian County Grand Jury in connection to an arson that occurred on Moores Drive in May.
52-year old Jerome Catlett is charged with four counts of 1st Degree Arson and nine counts of 1st Degree Wanton Endangerment. The charges stem from May 31 when Hopkinsville Police responded to a call of a report of a black male who poured gasoline on the porch and set it on fire at the Moores Court Apartments on Moores Drive. Upon arrival, police reported the fire had been put out, but the resident had gasoline on her as well. Officers were given a description of the man and that he fled into the woodline between Hayes and Howell streets. Police said Catlett was found hiding in the woodline with the lighter still in has hand and covered in gasoline. According to the report, there were nine occupants in the building at the time the fire was started.
The grand jury also indicted a couple on 1st Degree Criminal Mischief and Theft by Unlawful Taking over $500 but under $10,000. According to the Christian District Court summons, Shawn and Kimberly Harris caused extensive damage to a house and appliances and then took a number of items belonging to their landlord when they moved out of the residence during October 6 and October 7, 2017. The summons indicates the couple took a tiller, rakes, shovels, post hole diggers, a single axle trailer and a window air conditioner.