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Four arrested for arson
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File photo The fire that destroyed this McGregor Road house in July has been deemed an arson by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Four Warren County residents have been indicted in the case.

Four people have been indicted on charges relating to a structure fire that took place on McGregor Road in July.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation released a statement on Friday stating the investigation by TBI special agents and fire investigators resulted in the indictment and arrest of four Warren County residents, Janice Stokes, 54, Devin Blake Miller, 20, Dakota Ryan Bennett, 25, and Michelle Rae Bennett, 48. 

On July 21, TBI agents and fire investigators responded to a residential fire reported at 96 McGregor Road in McMinnville with the help of the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. According to the TBI statement, “During the course of the investigation, agents determined that the fire had been intentionally set. The investigation further revealed that multiple people were responsible for setting the fire, or facilitating the commission of the arson.”

According to previous stories of the incident published by the Southern Standard, Stokes was found to be the owner of the residence. It was also reported that Miller was believed to be injured by the fire and was transported by a private vehicle to Ascension Saint Thomas River Park, but the Warren County Sheriff's Department could not confirm this. He was later transported to Vanderbilt Burn Center for treatment.

According to TBI investigators, both Stokes and Miller were involved in setting the fire along with Dakota and Michelle Bennett. The Warren County Grand Jury returned indictments for all four individuals on Dec. 2.

Stokes was indicted and charged with insurance fraud, aggravated arson and conspiracy to commit aggravated arson. According to the indictment, Stokes was found to have made a false or fraudulent claim constituting the offense of insurance fraud, which is a class A felony.

Miller and Dakota were both charged with aggravated arson, conspiracy to commit aggravated arson and facilitation to commit aggravated arson. Michelle was charged with facilitation to commit aggravated arson. All four have been arrested and booked into the Warren County Jail.