On 03/22/2022 18 year old Preston Powers of Gainsville, Florida was taken into custody in Gainsville, Florida by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department on a warrant issued out of Clatsop County Circuit Court relating to Arson Fires set in the 600 and 700 block of 38th Street, and the 3700 Block of Harrison Ave. in January of 2018.

Earlier this month, Astoria Police Department received information from the Oregon State Police Crime Lab related to previously submitted evidence.  Astoria Police contacted Alachua County Sheriff’s Office for assistance in following up on the arson cases.  An Alachua County Sheriff’s Detective was able to assist Astoria Police Department with additional information regarding the Astoria fires.  Information gathered by Alachua Detective led to an indictment of Powers on March 17th, 2022 for two Counts of Arson in the First Degree and two Counts of Arson in the Second Degree.

Arrangements are being made to extradite Powers from Florida to Clatsop County.