MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - A Shelby County inmate is charged with arson after deputies say he torched his jail cell using linens, disciplinary paperwork and toilet paper.
20-year-old Clarence Spiller already has more than 40 counts of aggravated arson on his record. Monday night, deputies say, he added another.
According to court records, around 8:00 p.m. on Monday, February 25, Spiller broke the head off the sprinkler system in his cell. Corrections officials believe he then used a light socket to set his linens, disciplinary paperwork and toilet paper on fire.
Shelby County spokesperson Steve Shular says, "We identified the inmate quickly, we had other inmates involved in helping report this and making sure we had the right person. It's something we take very seriously, and we were very fortunate that it didn't get out of hand any more than it did."
Shular says even though corrections officials don't believe this situation involved contraband items, the fire is sparking more aggressive checks. "There are continual unannounced checks of the cell area on a daily basis - that will continue - as a result of last night those will be increasing."
Spiller was moved to Jail East, the women's prison, where he is in administrative segregation. He now faces additional charges of aggravated arson, reckless endangerment, vandalism and disorderly conduct.
