Pictured in handcuffs, James Carl Jones, 70 of Monterey was arrested by Putnam County Deputies on multiple charges after deputies and the fire department were called to a brush fire on Woodcliff Road. Deputies pictured from left, Steve Elrod, Tony Branch and John Osteen. Photo: Dale Welch/Hilltop Express

MAN FACES MULTIPLE CHARGES AFTER BRUSH FIRE CALL

By Dale Welch
Hilltop Express
dawelch@charter.net
dale@hilltopexpress.net
   A Monterey man faces multiple charges after the Putnam County Fire Department and Putnam County deputies were called to a brush fire on Woodcliff Road.
  James Carl Jones, 70, of Rose Ave. faces charges of public intoxication, criminal trespassing  and burning without a permit.
  Putnam firefighters were called to a brush fire on Woodcliff Road, just east of Crazy George’s Bridge. While in route, Deputy Ton Branch was informed by Deputy Corporal Bryan Cook and Deputy John Osteen of a previous incident a few months back, where James Carl Jones had set fires on the same property. Causing a disturbance, Jones allegedly would not let firefighters extinguish the fire. Also, in that incident, Jones was armed with a weapon.
  According to a report by Deputy  Branch, when he arrived on Friday afternoon the scene, Firefigter Drew Swink came running to him and told him that the same suspect, James Carl Jones was yelling at them to leave the fire alone and reported that he was across the road in the woods from the fire.
  Deputy Branch yelled at Jones to come out of the woods, but allegedly received no reply.
  Because of the previous incident were Jones was armed and not knowing if he was armed presently  nor Jones’ position in the woods, Deputy Branch retrieved his  rifle from his patrol car. Maintaining a position behind his patrol car, Deputy Branch kept yelling for Jones to come out and talk to him, but, the report said that Jones never acknowledged his presence.
  After deputies Steve Elrod and John Osteen arrived on the scene, Deputies Branch and Elrod advanced on Jones’ position in the woods and he finally complied and put his hands up.
  Jones was found sitting next to a tree with a beer in his hands. More beer was found in a sack that he was carrying. Jones also had a police scanner, but deputies found no weapons. Jones was allegedly found to have a BIC lighter in his pocket, but now cigarettes.
  Criminal trespassing charges were filed because, the deputy said that Jones was told after the previous incident to stay off of the Mrs. Robert Cunningham property.
  Jones’ granddaughter, the report said, arrived on scene and told the deputy that she had driven him there and set him off.
  Deputy Branch said that more charges may be pending after he consults with the district attorney’s office.