MANNFORD — A Mannford man charged with third-degree arson is scheduled to appear in Creek County District Court on Oct. 13 for an initial arraignment. The case stems from a pasture fire that was allegedly set intentionally while livestock were in the pasture.
Clay Matthew Bethel is charged with one count of third-degree arson, as of Oct. 5.
Court documents signed by District Attorney Max Cook, alleges Bethel “unlawfully, willfully, knowingly and wrongfully” caused and set fire to an open grassland pasture near 91st Street South and 417th West Avenue in Mannford at the end of August. According to the probable-cause affidavit reported by Creek County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christian Harper she was dispatched to the area at approximately 8:18 p.m. on Aug. 31 after a report of an arson.
The lessee and lawful user of the pasture for a cattle operation was noted as the victim. The victim told investigators there were 24 yearling cattle in the pasture that were valued at approximately $60,000. According to the affidavit, the victim had an agreement with Bethel’s uncle to use the property and did not authorize Bethel to burn the leased pasture.
Harper noted the lessee arrived at the pasture after receiving a call from a family member about fire activity.
“[Victim] stated he rushed to the pasture and observed multiple fire areas near the pond,” said Harper. “He encountered Clay Mathew Bethel near the roadside/pasture fence line on the north side of 91st Street South.”
Initially, relaying Bethel was observed carrying a fishing pole the lessee said he confronted Bethel and asked him why he started the fire to which Bethel responded by saying it would put itself out.
“He told Clay (Bethel) to stop setting fires, his cattle were on the property, and he was going to call the fire in. [Lessee] said Clay suggested he move the cattle because he wasn’t going to stop. [Lessee] then personally observed Clay reach into his pocket, reach down toward the grass or vegetation at the roadside/ pasture fence line, start a new fire, and place an object back into his pocket,” Harper reported.
Olive Volunteer Fire Department was noted to have been paged to the scene at 8:19 p.m. Olive Fire Chief Jason Dobson later reported the fire as an unlawful burn and indicated the fire endangered responding firefighters.
Upon further examination of the scene from the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and Food, Harper states, Special Agent Ronnie Stevens determined the general area of origin was along the north side of 91st Street near the roadside and pasture fence line which was consistent with the location described by the pasture lessee.
The original probablecause affidavit requested a finding of probable cause for violations involving unlawful burning, fourth-degree arson, and endangering or causing personal injury to human life during the commission of arson. The formal information subsequently filed on Sept. 22 charges Bethel with thirddegree arson, alleging he set fire to the grassland/pasture containing livestock.
Court records show a $40,000 bond was set in the case. The arrest warrant issued on Sept. 22 was returned executed on Sept. 28. Bethel's initial arraignment is currently scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Oct. 13 in Sapulpa. The allegations contained in the charging documents and probable-cause affidavit have not been proven in court and Bethel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.