Mt. Hermon Man Charged With Threatening to Burn Residence With Woman and Daughter Inside

Last Saturday (October 24, 2020), Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Michael Thomas responded to a report of a man threatening to burn a residence with a woman and her daughter inside. The females fled to a nearby church where they called 911.

Sgt. Thomas went to the location of the females, then proceeded to locate the man who had made the threat. Shortly thereafter, Sgt. Thomas encountered James L. Smith, age 43 and  a Mt. Hermon resident, sitting in a truck. As Sgt. Thomas approached, and before mentioning why he was there, Smith stated that he was using gasoline only to clean his truck.

Deputy Randall Garcia arrived to assist and Sgt. Thomas placed Smith under arrest, charging him with aggravated assault domestic abuse and domestic abuse with child endangerment. Smith was transported to the Washington Parish Jail.

“Anger management seems to be an issue for too many people,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “I am grateful to Sgt. Thomas and Deputy Garcia for resolving this situation before it got out of hand.”