CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Alleged Lakeland Arsonist
11/30/2021
LAKELAND, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Ashley Diederichs after allegedly committing burglary and setting fire to a home in Lakeland, Florida.
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Arson is a dangerous crime, and it is fortunate that no one was injured in this incident. As CFO and State Fire Marshal, I am committed to ensuring arsonists are brought to justice and are held accountable for the damage their crime causes. I appreciate the hard work of my arson detectives, which helped apprehend this alleged criminal.”
On October 1, 2021, Polk County Fire Rescue requested the assistance of the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services’ Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations (BFAEI) to conduct an origin and cause investigation of a residential structure fire. BFAEI arson detectives determined that there were two fires, one in the master bedroom of the structure and one outside of the structure. The investigation revealed that the suspect, Ashley Diederichs, set the fires to the structure as well as committed burglary prior to the arson. Following the fire, the home was deemed a total loss.
Ashley Diederichs was arrested on November 23, 2021 by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and was transported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office Booking Facility. Diederichs is being charged with arson and burglary, and if convicted, faces up to 30 years in prison.
CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Arson is a dangerous crime, and it is fortunate that no one was injured in this incident. As CFO and State Fire Marshal, I am committed to ensuring arsonists are brought to justice and are held accountable for the damage their crime causes. I appreciate the hard work of my arson detectives, which helped apprehend this alleged criminal.”
On October 1, 2021, Polk County Fire Rescue requested the assistance of the Division of Investigative and Forensic Services’ Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations (BFAEI) to conduct an origin and cause investigation of a residential structure fire. BFAEI arson detectives determined that there were two fires, one in the master bedroom of the structure and one outside of the structure. The investigation revealed that the suspect, Ashley Diederichs, set the fires to the structure as well as committed burglary prior to the arson. Following the fire, the home was deemed a total loss.
Ashley Diederichs was arrested on November 23, 2021 by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and was transported to the Polk County Sheriff's Office Booking Facility. Diederichs is being charged with arson and burglary, and if convicted, faces up to 30 years in prison.
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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and X (@FLDFS).