Jacob Dylan Plott
After a three-month investigation the Whitfield County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jacob Dylan Plott, 18, who was responsible for the arson of a historical building at Beaverdale Baptist Church, at 2496 Beaverdale Road.
On Friday afternoon, investigators arrested a second individual involved in the arson. Forrest A. Jones, 19, was taken into custody and charged with arson.
The structure, which was the original church building (built before 1900), was deliberately set on fire during the early morning hours of March 21. The Whitfield County Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire. The fire caused extensive damage to the building.
On April 16, at approximately 11:15 p.m., the 911 Center received another call advising the old church building was on fire again. The Fire Department responded but the structure was a total loss. The second fire was also suspected to have been deliberately set. There was no electricity to the building at the time of the fires; it was being used for storage by the church.
During the investigation, detectives received information that a teenager living in close proximity to the church was responsible for the fire. Upon further investigation, evidence was obtained directly linking this suspect to both arsons. The suspect was believed to have been intoxicated when setting the March fire. On Thursday, Plott, of 1550 River Road Cutoff, Dalton, was taken into custody and is charged with two counts of arson.
Investigators determined these individuals are the only two involved in the arson case.
Forrest A. Jones