Harris Facing Multiple Charges in Church Fire

(Farmington, MO) A Farmington resident, 30 year old Brendan Andrew Harris, is facing multiple felony charges after being arrested in connection to the fire that destroyed the Gospel Trinity Pentecostal Church located at 3431 Iron County Road 6. A press release from the Iron County Sheriff's office, and other sources, indicate Sheriff's deputies, and members of the Pilot Knob Fire Department, were dispatched to a structure fire at the church around 3 am Wednesday. Foul play was suspected so the State Fire Marshall was contacted. Later that day at 3:30 pm Iron County Deputies were dispatched to an address in an unincorporated area of Iron County in regards to threats being made to a family by Harris. When Sheriff Burkett and Iron County deputies, as well as members of the State Fire Marshal and ATF arrived at the address, they located items that were stolen from the church. Law enforcement officials suspected Harris had went to a home in Farmington on Kinley Drive. Harris was found at the residence and taken into custody about 10:30 pm Wednesday evening on a warrant and is being held in the St. Francois County Jail. Harris is charged with two counts of second degree arson and one count of second degree burglary.