From Politics To The Pokey

Former Bayou La Batre City Councilman Henry Barnes turned himself into police Wednesday afternoon. He's been charged with 2nd degree arson.

Police believe he tried to burn down a house he owned on Downey Street last Tuesday. They say it was a crime of opportunity that night because the street was being evacuated for a larger controlled burn that got out of control.

Barnes says he was only trying to kill fleas in his backyard and believes politics is involved in his arrest. "I didn't make an insurance claim. I didn't call. I mean they're saying I'm trying to burn the house down and I'm 20 feet from the house. Why would they be saying that? I do have some enemies down here. I used to be in politics you know."

Captain Darryl Wilson with Bayou La Batre Police says this is about a crime, not politics. "This is strictly business! We've always been professional and there's no political motivation here whatsoever."

Barnes was booked into Mobile Metro Jail. The penalty for second degree arson is 2-20 years in prison.