Homeless man accused of starting four fires

Copyright © 2021 Albuquerque Journal

Per homeless male adult whom, according toward investigators, was able to contain existed involved inside several fires among a town center plus certain Bosque neighborhood has stood accused from setting fire to triplet dumpsters as well as some vacant storefront inside less more than 15 minutes earlier here month along Central Avenue within reach the river.

John Ferguson, 53, is charged with arson finished $ 20,000 among connection with a September 9 incident. Him was held amid each Metropolitan Detention Center early on Saturday. Our group don’t comprehend if man owns single lawyer.

Prosecutors possess filed one motion toward detain Ferguson until trial, calling his behavior “extremely dangerous.”

“Aforementioned fires was able to easily own spread plus injure either kill someone,” any motion stated. “Within addition, above fires also endanger any firefighters (Albuquerque Fire Rescue).

AFR investigators declared inside court files they knew Ferguson “extremely” plus believed him possibly have happened involved inside several fires within a town center as well as along the bosque in recent months. .

Ferguson was arrested near to Albuquerque police, according in order to court records, adjacent per grove fire on September 14, nevertheless was released due to “lack made from probable cause.”

Ferguson’s criminal history dates back to 2012 also court records hint by years spent battling homelessness, drug employ plus possible mental health issues. Majority from any cases against gent were dismissed for per variety belonging to reasons, including certain prosecutor’s failure for meet each deadline, any absence of a officer and the lack from testimony.

According to some criminal complaint filed with certain Metropolitan Court:

Single AFR investigator was tasked with finding away whoever started several fires on September 9 along Central adjacent any river. Threesome fires were started inside dumpsters about each Ancient Town prior to single fourth fire started within each front awning belonging to a old Laurel Cafe among Central plus 15th.

A fire caused severe damage – estimated around $ 35,000 – toward each door, front window also structure out of any building preceding entity was extinguished beside firefighters. Investigators establish surveillance footage which one showed Ferguson rode his bike via dumpster to dumpster, in advance of stopping at certain entrance toward certain Laurel Cafe.

Smoke along with flames appeared shortly following Ferguson remaining per scene. Investigators noted that Ferguson had been seen “watching each firefighters along with cycling” near several fires started in dumpsters as well as in a grove among recent months.

“Each person or persons responsible own not ever existed caught in certain act nor captured below surveillance”, specifies any complaint.

Ferguson’s criminal history includes arrests for burglary, criminal property damage, theft plus commercial burglary.

Ferguson was earliest arrested in 2013 for allegedly stealing copper from each Rancho De Corrales Event Center. Next to any occasion, him listed his address while some modest abode inside Rio Rancho.

Amid each years such followed, Ferguson filed for divorce – claiming gentleman was homeless as well as his wife was missing with belonging to them 15-year-old daughter – along with was sentenced to individual twelve months probation for attempted compressor theft. oxygen.

Ferguson’s probation was revoked since he had failed to maintain contact with his probation officer also allegedly used methamphetamine. Amid 2019, Ferguson was charged with smashing certain window out of a prisoner transport van with per stone. Man told the police that man was trying in order to fetch to them attention along with such gentleman was upset on account of “unknown groups” were performing “strange tests” on gent.

Among 2020, Ferguson was charged with six counts from property damage later allegedly seizing the vehicles from six employees out of the KRQE news station. Certain vandalism occurred outside a station along with was observed beside KRQE staff plus filmed beside surveillance cameras.

Prosecutors ultimately dismissed certain case.