Dakota Ashton Tucker
The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Crime Unit, along with authorities in Sequatchie County, have charged Dakota Ashton Tucker, 24, of Monteagle for deliberately setting a fire that burned 65 acres.
Tucker is now charged with setting fire to personal property or land for the fire that occurred Nov. 14 near Sunshine Road in Sequatchie County. He is currently being held in the Grundy County jail. Additional charges against Tucker are pending.
Setting fire to personal property or land is a Class E felony. Conviction carries a sentence of 1 to 6 years incarceration and up to $3,000 in fines.
This year, more than 1,400 wildfires have burned across the state. Almost half of those are suspected arson.
Anyone who believes they’ve seen woods arson activity should call Tennessee’s Arson Hotline at 1-800-762-3017. A cash reward of up to $2,500 is offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction. You can also report woods arson activity to the Ag Crime Unit at 1-844-AGCRIME (1-844-242-7463). Callers may remain anonymous.
Due to the ongoing drought and destructive wildfires, a governor’s regional burn ban remains in effect for East Tennessee.