Two juveniles charged with setting Sevier County wildfires

News release from Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

KNOXVILLE– An investigation by Special Agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, National Park Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office has resulted in charges being placed against two people in connection with the deadly wildfires in Sevier County.

Last week, at the request of 4^th District Attorney General James Dunn, TBI Special Agents began working alongside the National Park Service and ATF to investigate the wildfires that began last month.

During the course of the investigation, information was developed that two juveniles allegedly started the fire.

Today, a petition was filed in juvenile court charging the juveniles with Aggravated Arson. Both were taken into custody and transported to the Sevier County Juvenile Detention Center. At this time the investigation is active and ongoing.

—

UPDATE: Further from the News Sentinel:

The teens remain in custody in Sevier County, charged with aggravated arson, said Jimmy Dunn, 4th Judicial District attorney general. They await a bond hearing in Juvenile Court and could be transferred to Criminal Court if prosecutors move to try them as adults.

“Everything is on the table,” Dunn said.

He refused to give any details about the case, including the teens’ ages or genders, except that “They are not from Sevier County … they are residents of Tennessee.”

The park lies within federal jurisdiction, but federal prosecutors will allow Dunn to prosecute the case in state court.

…Dunn said the two suspects will have a detention hearing “within the next 72 hours.” The hearing will determine if the two will be held without bond, with bond or released.