Caleb T. Poole, Arson Causing Over $3.5 Million in Damage, Ohio 2024
Walmart Blaze Leaves $3.5 Million in Damages
On May 6, a devastating fire ravaged the Walmart store in Kenton, Ohio, causing an estimated $3.5 million in damage. The fire, which was reported to have originated within a shopping cart, has led to the indictment of a 27-year-old man from Marion, Ohio.
Caleb T. Poole, 27, has been charged with one count of destroying or damaging property used in interstate commerce, a federal offense. The indictment was handed down in federal court.
According to court documents, Poole was seen using a credit card to purchase two thermoses at the Walmart store. He then filled the thermoses with gasoline at a nearby gas station and reentered the store, where he picked up toilet paper and hairspray. Surveillance footage showed Poole walking to the origin area of the fire, where flames rose as high as 20 feet.
Poole is currently in custody, and the investigation is ongoing. If convicted, his sentence will be determined by the court, taking into account factors such as his prior criminal record, role in the offense, and the characteristics of the violation.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Hardin County Sheriff's Office, the Kenton Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas Weldon and Matthew D. Simko are handling the case.
An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The burden of proof lies with the government to prove Poole's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mandatory Facts: Defendant: Caleb T. Poole; Charges: Destroying or damaging property used in interstate commerce; City and State: Kenton, Ohio; Date: May 6; Sentence: Pending; Damage: $3.5 million.
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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