In a shocking turn of events, Jacob Walls, a 28-year-old resident of Harrison, Arkansas, has been charged in connection to a wildland fire set in February 2019 within the Buffalo National River.
The indictment alleges that Walls willfully and without authority and consent of the United States set fire to National Park Service land. The fire was contained by NPS Firefighters to prevent its spread onto private lands.
The case was investigated by the National Park Service (NPS), Investigative Services Branch, the US Park Rangers at Buffalo National River, the Newton County Sheriff’s Department and the 14th Arkansas Judicial District Prosecutor's Office.
Assistant United States Attorney Claude Hawkins is prosecuting the case for the United States.
An indictment is an allegation and Walls is presumed innocent until convicted. If convicted, Walls faces up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000.00.
The Honorable Mark E. Ford, United States Magistrate Judge, presided over the arraignment in the United States District Court in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The trial date has been set for December 7, 2020, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The incident occurred on February 2019, in Newton County, near Pruitt.