Louisiana Felon Arrested Suspected of Arson, Attempted Murder, and Other Crimes in Connection with Intentionally Set House Fires

Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana – A Louisiana felon has been arrested and is suspected of arson, attempted murder, and other crimes in connection with intentionally setting house fires.

On February 24, 2023, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office (LASFM) reported that it had arrested a Belle Chasse, Louisiana man in collaboration with the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office (PPSO) for multiple crimes, including allegedly setting several fires at an occupied home over the previous three months.

Willie Garcia, 39, of Belle Chasse, Louisiana, was booked into the Plaquemines Parish Jail on one count of Attempted First Degree Murder and four charges of Aggravated Arson on Wednesday, February 22. Garcia was arrested on further accusations of Attempted 1st Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Aggravated Criminal Damage of Property, Illegal Discharge of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

According to authorities, first responders have been called to a property in the 14000 block of Highway 23 for four different fires and two shootings since November 2022. At the time of the incidents, there were at least two individuals in the home, including a small child in at least one case.  No one was hurt in any of the events, and the fires were all set on the outside of the home, causing only small damage.

During the inquiry, the deputies discovered Garcia’s girlfriend was related to the residents of the residence where the crimes were committed.

Following an exhaustive collaborative investigation that included witness testimony, surveillance video, and the use of a LASFM K-9, the investigative team determined that the fires were intentionally ignited and obtained arrest warrants for Garcia.

Garcia was also recognized by PPSO as a suspect in an unrelated incident on February 22, 2023, when he threatened a Naomi area business owner with a handgun.
Garcia was apprehended without incident in the Belle Chasse, Louisiana neighborhood by PPSO deputies on the evening of February 22. Garcia, a convicted felon, was in possession of a handgun at the time of his arrest. Garcia was taken to the Plaquemines Parish Detention Center (PPDC) and arrested on the above counts, as well as one count of Aggravated Assault with a Weapon and one count of Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

“These are some serious, violent offenses and we’re fortunate this wasn’t a more tragic incident. This blatant disregard for human life can’t and won’t be tolerated,” said Sheriff Turlich. “Thank you to our deputies and partners at the State Fire Marshal’s Office for their hard work and assistance with removing a violent criminal from our community.”

Willie Garcia is being held at the PPDC while awaiting his appearance in Magistrate Court.

The Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office thanked the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office for its assistance in resolving these cases and removing a violent felon from the Belle Chasse community.

An arrest is an indication that probable cause exists to believe the subject was involved in the offense alleged. A person is presumed innocent until proven guiltyo