Two accused arsonists in jail, four on the run

A rash of intentionally set fires in Cedar, St. Clair and Vernon counties had local residents talking in September. It also had the Missouri Fire Marshall investigating.

Now, according to Cedar County Sheriff Leon Dwerlkotte, two have been arrested and charged and four more individuals are on the run according to court documents obtained by the Sun.

Probable cause statements filled out by Randy Sweet. Missouri State Fire Marshall’s office says:

I believe there is probable cause for the issuance of a warrant for the arrest of Justin Daniels, 2540 East 800 Road, El Dorado Springs, for the charge of Arson, 2nd degree (Class C felony) and Hindering Prosecution (Class D felony. Based on the following facts: that between 9-14-16 and 9-18-16 did go with others who destroyed a structure by intentionally setting that structure on fire and not reporting the fire to authorities. And by using his position as a Cedar County Sheriff’s office dispatcher, calling those individuals at least two times and telling them investigators were looking at them for the fires and to stay out of state.”

The structures were identified as

A house at County Road 601 a U Hwy. owned by Rusty McCowan was set on fire on 14-2016 at about 00:10 hours.

A house located at 123 West Cruyce, El Dorado Springs, owned by Charles Linnford was set on fire on 9-15-15 at about 3:27 hours.

A house located at 5999 East 150 Road (Lake Hill), El Dorado Springs, was set on first at about 5:20 hours.

Chevy M. Ashbaker, 107 West Pine, El Dorado Springs, or a charge of Arson 2nd degree (Class C felony)

For the three fires mentioned above.

Brando L. Damewood, 1405 South Kirkpatrick, El Dorado Springs, on a charge of Arson 2nd degree (Classs C Felony) for the three fires mentioned above.

Justin Johson, 6205 Southwest Hwy. K, Osceola, on a charge of Arson 2nd degree, for thre three fires mentioned above.

Shaeffer B. Johnson, 6205 SW Hwy. K, Osceola (Class C. Felony) for the three fires mentioned above.

Tyler A. Janes, 221 West Joe Davis, El Dorado Springs. Conspiracy to commit arson (Class D Felony) that between 9-14-16 and 9-18-16 did discuss, encouraged and agreed for other people to set fire to structures within Cedar County enabling them to respond to those fires to obtain pay from being a volunteer with El Dorado Springs Fire Department. Justin Janes was also notified by text message after the fire was intentionally set letting him know that he could be responding to that fire.

The structures were the same three identified above.