Preacher’s Son, Accomplice Plead Guilty in Georgia Church Arson

Two of three men charged with arson in a 2005 fire that destroyed a church pleaded guilty in Barrow County Superior Court in Georgia.

Maurice Arnold and Bruce Edward Smith pleaded guilty.

Prosecutors say the Rev. Quincy Arnold of Lawrenceville asked his 25-year-old son Maurice to burn down his New Life Deliverance Church in 2005. They say Maurice Arnold hired the 48-year-old Smith to help him.

Prosecutors say 50-year-old Quincy Arnold is expected to face charges in October of insurance fraud, vandalizing a place of worship, first-degree arson and conspiracy to commit a crime.

Superior Court Judge Currie Mingledorff agreed to sentence Smith to two years in prison and 15 years probation, with the prison sentence suspended on his arson plea.

The younger Arnold pleaded guilty to arson, vandalizing a place of worship and conspiracy to commit a crime and will be sentenced next month.