JONESBORO, Ga. - An arrest has been made in a Clayton County horse fire that killed 24 horses.
Fire officials announced Wednesday morning that Jonathan Espinoza-Vazquez, 23, has been charged with one count of arson and one count of aggravated cruelty to animals.
The charges stem from an April 4 stable fire that killed 24 out of the 25 horses that were in the stable.
Clayton County Fire Chief Landry Merkison said the fire was started in retaliation over some sort of domestic incident.
Investigators got a tip from Clayton County police and Crime Stoppers Greater Atlanta, who alleged Espinoza-Vasquez set the fire in retaliation toward the property's owner.
A background check revealed Henry County had a failure to appear warrant out for Espinoza-Vasquez’s arrest.
Espinoza-Vasquez, officials said, initially denied any involvement in the fire, but allegedly made conflicting statements as to the last time he had visited the farm. Espinoza-Vasquez's cell phone was taken and the GPS locations on his pictures show the phone less than one mile from the incident on the night of the stable fire, police said.
Merkison said the incident involved the mother of Vazquez's child, who lives on the property, and the families of some other people who also live on the property.
By the time firefighters arrived on the scene of the fire, in the 1800 block of Noah's Ark Road, the barn was completely engulfed in flames.
Officials said 30 firefighters worked to put out the fire, but they said the stable, which was made from wood and concrete, was a total loss. A smaller barn sitting near by was also destroyed.
No people were injured in the fire.
