INTERLACHEN, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced today the arrest of Andres Pena in Putnam County after allegedly setting fire to his ex-girlfriend’s home where she lived with their three children.

 

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “Arson not only destroys property but often has deadly consequences. In 2017, there were over 21,000 reported fire incidents in Florida resulting in over $239 million in estimated property losses. I am thankful for the hard work of our arson detectives in bringing this individual to justice. If you commit arson in Florida, you will be caught and held accountable.”

 

Prior to the fire, CFO Patronis’ arson detectives found that, Pena and his ex-girlfriend were attending a birthday party with their children when they got into a verbal argument. Following the argument, Pena abruptly left the party for a moment returning shortly after. Once Pena returned, the ex-girlfriend received a call from her mother informing her that her home was on fire. The fire was discovered by neighbors just minutes after seeing Pena driving away from the residence.

 

Pena was arrested on March 16 and transported to the Putnam County Jail. Pena was charged with one count of arson to a dwelling. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.