June 18, Kenneth Wayne Willey pleaded guilty to arson and was sentenced to 35 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
Jan. 8, 2023, at approximately 5 a.m., the owner of an auto shop on Texas 87 checked his camera system and discovered the building was on fire. ESD No. 3 confirmed firefighters were on scene battling the blaze.
While reviewing surveillance footage, investigators observed a person arrive on a bicycle, pour gasoline inside the building, ignite a blaze, and flee. The structure was declared a total loss.
The video was provided to investigators, who worked with fire investigators and determined the suspect had purchased gasoline at a nearby gas station before the fire.
The shop owner later identified Willey as the person responsible for the arson.