String of suspicious fires lead investigators to Johns Island man

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Officers from the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) arrested a Johns Island man on four counts of arson in Charleston County.

Harold Nelson, Jr, 60, was arrested on Tuesday after allegedly lighting multiple fires between Jan. 25 – 30. Officials say he is accused of lighting one in a field and others in stands of pine trees on private property that he did not own.

SCFC officers placed trail cameras on the victim’s property and footage was allegedly used to identify Nelson starting fires on different occasions.

“Nelson was arrested at his home without incident and was transported by Charleston County sheriff’s deputies to the Al Cannon Detention Center in North Charleston,” said the SCFC press release. “He is awaiting trial on the charges; if convicted, he faces a fine of not more than $5,000 or a prison sentence of not more than five years for each count with which he was charged.”