Authorities say deputy's son behind fires at black churches

OPELOUSAS, La. -- The suspect in a string of fires destroying three black churches in rural Louisiana is the white son of a sheriff's deputy whose father helped arrange for his arrest, authorities said Thursday.

Holden Matthews, 21, faces arson charges in the connection with the blazes in and around Opelousas, a city of 16,000 where the flame-gutted remains of the buildings evoked memories of civil rights era violence.

Louisiana fire marshall Butch Browning offered no motive for the fires. He and other officials stopped short of calling them hate crimes. Eric Rommal, the agent in charge of the New Orleans FBI office, said investigators were still looking into whether the fires were "bias motivated."

Browning said there were no indications anyone else was involved and the danger to churches was over.

"This community is safe again," he said at a news conference. "We are extremely, unequivocally confident that we have the person who is responsible for these tragic crimes."

The Rev. Harry Richard, pastor of Greater Union Baptist Church, which was destroyed, said the arrest put him at ease and let him sleep at night.

"I felt relieved my congregation didn't have to worry anymore," said Richard, who was told of the arrest late Wednesday. "I was reassured that law enforcement was on our side, that things were finally coming to an end."

Investigators used surveillance video, cellphone tracking and a Walmart receipt to help identify Matthews, who was arrested late Wednesday.

A red gas can recovered at one of the churches was sold at Walmart locations, and the company's investigators found the same type of gas can, was bought March 25 at a store in Opelousas, along with automotive cloths and a lighter.

The debit card used in the purchase belonged to Matthews, according to court documents.

"The purchase time on this receipt is less than three hours before the first church fire was reported," an affidavit said.

In addition, cellphone tower data showed Matthews was in the area of all three fires. And surveillance video from businesses and homes near the churches, and on the roads to and from each fire scene, repeatedly showed a "light colored extended-cab truck" consistent with the beige pickup that belonged to Matthews' father. Matthews apparently drove the truck to buy the gas can and other items, according to the court documents.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz confirmed the suspect was the son of deputy Roy Matthews, whom he described as an excellent employee who knew nothing of his son's actions.

The elder Matthews was heartbroken when told his son was a suspect, the sheriff said.

"He broke down," Guidroz said. "It was hard." He said the father arranged for the son to leave the house and go to a place where he could be arrested without incident. He did not elaborate.

The younger Matthews was arrested on three counts of simple arson of a religious building. A conviction could bring up to 15 years in prison on each count, Browning said.