Full Notification

(Etowah County, Alabama) Two men have been charged with arson in connection to a small fire inside the Etowah County Detention Center, according to Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

“Destyn Ray Hafely, 21, of Gadsden, and Florentino Martinez, 28, of Steele, are both charged with one count of first degree arson and one count of conspiracy to commit murder, both are felonies,” said Captain Josh Morgan.

The fire was started, on August 22nd, at approximately 11:30 p.m., when Hafely set a plastic food tray and other materials on fire. He manipulated an e-cigarette to spark the fire. Security video inside the common area of Unit 3 shows the tray coming out from under Hafely’s cell door and Martinez, who was on free time, setting other objects on top to enhance the flames.

The small fire was quickly put out with a fire extinguisher by detention deputies.

Sheriff Entrekin said, “These two individuals put hundreds of lives in danger inside the detention center. The charges are fitting for the dangerous hazard they created. I appreciate the quick response of our employees in putting out the fire.”

All inmates and detainees inside the detention center were accounted for and were never in danger or evacuated during the event.

Both men are being held on $350,000 bond for the arson and conspiracy charges.

--END--