Photo: Monica Ferguson
A Midway woman accused of setting fire to a man’s house following a domestic altercation appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Forty-six-year-old Monica Ferguson pled not guilty to charges of arson and criminal mischief.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Ferguson and Rodney Hall were seen by a neighbor fighting in the front yard of a residence along Cedar Hills Road.
Hall was reported to be leasing the house.
A neighbor said Ferguson had thrown rocks at Hall and used a chunk of concrete to damage a pickup sitting in the driveway. Ferguson is also alleged to have yelled out that Hall had hit her in the jaw.
Hall placed a 911 call about 5:30 p.m. Sept. 19 and reported that a female was smashing the windows of a pickup truck he used.
The vehicle belonged to Hall’s landlord.
At one point, Hall is reported to have left the scene and retreated to a nearby residence.
The deputy responding to the first call apparently made no contact with either Ferguson or Hall.
About 6:30 p.m., a call came in to 911 reporting Hall’s house was on fire. A sheriff’s deputy again responded.
The deputy did contact Hall, who said it was Ferguson that had set the blaze.
A neighbor reported driving by the house and being flagged down by Ferguson, who told him Hall’s residence was on fire and to call 911.
She is alleged to have commented “he’s not going to hit me anymore.”
According to the probable cause affidavit, Ferguson is also reported to have admitted she started the fire.
While photographing the scene the next day, deputies found a pile of personal belongings near the roadway.
Hall said the items belong to Ferguson and were placed there before he set fire to his house.
The landlord told investigators the house was fully furnished with nearly new furniture and appliances.
Damage to the house and its contents were estimated at “well over” $100,000.” The pickup truck was reported to have about $5,000 in damage.
Ferguson is free on a $50,000 bond.
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