By Ray King
A $5,000 cash-only bond was set Thursday for a Jefferson County man who allegedly set fire to a camper Tuesday.
Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set the bond after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge Billy Cooley, 31, with arson.
Reading from an affidavit from Sheriff’s Investigator Lt. Kaylon McDaniel, Deputy Prosecutor Beth Carson said a deputy was sent to Maggie Cove at about 6 a.m. in response to a report of gunshots in the area and while en route, was told that a camper was on fire.
Carson said the camper was valued at $3,500. Cooley was not interviewed after he asked for an attorney.
A records check showed that Cooley is on probation stemming from a drug-related case in 2019 and a petition has been filed to revoke that probation. He said he would hire his own attorney and was told to come back to court on March 24.
