Arson charges dropped against Stoddard County man accused of burning own home

The Missouri Attorney General's office has dismissed criminal charges of arson and stealing against Billy Arnold of Bell City, the Sikeston Standard Democrat reported. The case had been transferred from Stoddard County to Cape Girardeau County.

In a Friday news release, attorney James McClellan of Sikeston commended the attorney general's office for dismissing his client's case. He stated the state's crime lab revealed no ignitable liquid on the wood samples and that the state's main witness had prior convictions. Arnold's insurance carrier said the home was not destroyed by arson and they were prepared to pay out the claim.

Arnold was camping with his children the day the home caught on fire last may. He had always maintained his innocence and passed a polygraph examination administered by a former highway patrolman.

He turned himself in to authorities in August after a warrant was issued for his arrest in late July.

"The bitter part to Arnold was his loss of freedom and separation from his family while he was jailed for 118 days, when he was an innocent man," said McClellan.