A 28-year-old Madison man is facing a Class A felony after police say he poured gasoline on his uncle's front door in Hendersonville and set it ablaze while three people were inside the home. Alexander Oral Watson was booked into the Sumner County Jail on charges of aggravated arson and vandalism following the October 4 fire on West Harbor Drive, with his bond set at $900,000.
According to Main Street Media of Tennessee, the Hendersonville Police Department and emergency crews responded to the residential fire call, but residents had already extinguished the flames before first responders arrived. Officers reportedly found a scorched front door, a broken exterior glass door and other burn indicators at the scene, according to court records cited in the outlet's report.
An arson investigator spoke with three people who were inside the home when the fire started, and one of them reportedly identified Watson, who is allegedly the homeowner's nephew, as the person who set it. A surveillance camera screenshot reportedly showed Watson standing in the driveway holding a red gasoline can. People inside the residence said the doorbell rang just before 5:30 p.m. and that flames were then seen creeping under the front door, the outlet's report states.
Arrest, Transfer, and an Alleged Confession Over a Missing Watch
Watson was arrested by the Metro Nashville Police Department in Davidson County and later transferred to the Hendersonville Police Department.
Watson allegedly admitted to pouring gasoline on the front door and doormat and igniting it with a cigarette lighter. He reportedly told investigators he was angry because he believed a resident inside the home had taken his Apple Watch, according to the same report from the Hendersonville outlet.
Aggravated Arson Charge
In Tennessee, a building fire involving someone inside can be charged as aggravated arson, a Class A felony. The offense carries a potential sentence of 15 to 60 years in prison and fines of up to $50,000 under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-302, according to Memphis Criminal Defense Lawyers.
For a first-time offender sentenced under Tennessee's standard Range I guidelines, a Class A felony conviction still carries a mandatory prison term of 15 to 25 years, according to Justia Law. Because the alleged offense occurred after July 1, 2022, any conviction would also fall under Tennessee's truth-in-sentencing rules, which require serving at least 85% of the imposed sentence before release eligibility, according to the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference.
Vandalism Charge Tied to Property Damage
Watson was also charged with vandalism between $2,500 and $10,000, a Class D felony under Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-14-105 and § 39-14-408 that carries a potential sentence of 2 to 12 years in prison and fines up to $5,000, Justia Law notes. Convictions on either count can also trigger court-ordered restitution to cover repair or replacement costs for the homeowner, per Memphis Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Watson is scheduled to appear in Sumner County General Sessions Court on October 23.
The case echoes another residential arson prosecution in the county, where a Sumner County man was previously indicted on arson and burglary charges tied to a Westmoreland house fire. Whether a grand jury ultimately indicts Watson, and whether his defense challenges the alleged confession or the surveillance footage cited by investigators, remains to be seen as the case moves through the court system.
