On the Treasure Coast, nerves are running high after deputies say a 22-year-old man carried a lit tiki torch and a samurai sword into Savannas Preserve State Park and set patches of dry grass on fire. Witnesses later spotted the same man near a downtown Jensen Beach bar, flagged down law enforcement, and watched as he was taken into custody. He is now in the Martin County jail on a $22,000 bond, and families back in Melbourne and nearby neighborhoods say they are uneasy about a suspect like this potentially returning to a community packed with schools and parks.
How deputies say it unfolded
According to a probable cause affidavit, deputies allege that Morgan Grante Lentz first poured gasoline on a motorcycle parked outside a Jensen Beach bar, then walked into the Savannas Preserve State Park and used a burning tiki torch to light several patches of vegetation, as reported by ABC News. The affidavit, along with photos shared by the Martin County Sheriff's Office, states that deputies recovered about 1.5 gallons of gasoline in jugs near the bar and found a samurai-style sword on Lentz. Fire crews were able to contain the blaze to roughly a 40-yard stretch before fully extinguishing it.
Neighbors worry about bond and nearby schools
Parents and neighbors told reporters they are rattled that the suspect lists a Melbourne address and could walk out of jail if he posts bond. One resident bluntly described him as an "idiot in our neighborhood," while another said they hoped he would stay locked up, ClickOrlando reported. That outlet also notes the $22,000 bond currently set in the Martin County Jail, a figure that has some families openly calling for a longer hold while investigators finish sorting through the evidence.
Charges and what happens next
Martin County detectives booked Lentz on charges that include intentional or reckless burning of lands, criminal mischief over $1,000, and resisting without violence. Authorities say more counts could be added as investigators track down vehicle owners and any additional victims, according to WFLX. Investigators say body-camera footage and video from witnesses played a key role in tracking Lentz and will be turned over to prosecutors as they decide how to proceed.
Why the preserve matters
Officials say a quick response from firefighters kept the flames from ripping through more of the Savannas Preserve State Park. The site protects thousands of acres of freshwater marsh and pine flatwoods that are especially vulnerable even to relatively small fires, according to Florida State Parks. As the investigation continues, the Martin County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with additional footage or information to come forward.
