A simmering money dispute at a Gibsonton RV park has a 49-year-old man sitting in jail with no bail and a first-degree arson charge hanging over his head.
Investigators say Joseph Wrighht is accused of setting his neighbor’s trailer on fire last Thursday, leaving the home so badly damaged it could no longer be lived in.
The Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office told a judge that Wrighht was a danger to the community and argued that he should not be released on bond, according to Tampa Bay 28. The judge agreed and ordered Wrighht to stay locked up while the case moves forward.
"He was angry because his neighbor owed him money," investigators told Tampa Bay 28. The blaze broke out at an RV park on Nundy Road in Gibsonton, where an arrest affidavit reportedly details fire damage to both the exterior and interior of the trailer, including internal wiring that left the unit uninhabitable. The neighbor was not home when the fire was set. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled.
What first-degree arson means in Florida
Under Florida law, intentionally damaging a dwelling by fire or explosion can be charged as first-degree arson, which is a felony of the first degree. The Florida Senate notes that a first-degree felony can carry significant prison time, generally up to 30 years depending on the circumstances and sentencing.
What’s next for the case
An arraignment date still has not been set, and Wrighht remains in custody while the case works its way through the local court system. Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to appear at the next court hearing, where formal charges and pretrial issues will be taken up.
