Arrest made in Delta High School arson case

A Delta teenager is facing felony charges of arson, burglary and stealing in the Aug. 13 fire at Delta High School.

Jeriel M. Brooks, 19, already in jail on an unrelated burglary charge, had new charges added Friday, after investigators questioned him about a meth lab found in his bedroom and the fire at the high school, according to a probable-cause statement.

During the interview, Brooks admitted entering the high school and stealing $20 to $30 and several DVDs and CDs, and unintentionally setting fire to the school by dropping a lit cigarette into papers in the school office. The probable-cause statement said Brooks provided a written statement admitting his involvement in the burglary and the fire at the high school as well as an apology letter to the Delta community.

At the time of the interview, the statement said, Brooks was incarcerated on charges of burglary, which accuse him of breaking into a Whitewater home and stealing a safe and a briefcase. In that case, Brooks may face additional charges of manufacturing methamphetamine after authorities say they found a "shake and bake" lab in his house Thursday.

Delta School District superintendent Nate Crowden did not return phone calls Friday evening.

The Aug. 13 fire kept the 175 high school students out of class for more than a week.

smoyers@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent address:

324 N. Liberty St., Delta, MO