CFO Jimmy Patronis Announces Arrest of Jacksonville Arsonist

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis announced the arrest of Jurand Wells by the Department of Financial Services, Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations (BFAEI) on charges of Arson and Possession of a Fire Bomb. Mr. Wells was taken into custody with the assistance of the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

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CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “You can run, but you can’t hide. Arson is a devastating and malicious crime and is not tolerated here in the state of Florida. I guarantee those bad actors who seek to endanger the lives of others will be caught and brought to justice. Thank you to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for their assistance in apprehending this alleged fire bomber and working with our Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations to ensure that our communities are kept safe from dangerous individuals. As Florida’s State Fire Marshal, I’m proud of my department and all the diligent, investigative work they do to protect Floridians.”

CFO @JimmyPatronis Announces Arrest of Jacksonville Arsonist

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— FL DFS (@FLDFS) August 19, 2022

On July 3, 2020, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department (JFRD) were dispatched to a residential fire. Upon arrival, they determined windows had been broken in the residence with bricks and a plastic bottle containing what appeared to be an accelerant, and a cloth wick had been lit and thrown through the window in the kitchen. Two witnesses saw the suspect, Jurand Wells, allegedly break the windows and throw the firebomb into the kitchen while yelling and threatening them. JSO requested the investigative assistance of the Bureau of Fire, Arson, and Explosives Investigations to respond and conduct an origin and cause fire investigation. Based upon the fire scene examination, physical evidence, knowledge of fire development, firefighter and witness statements, and supporting conditions, BFAEI determined this fire was incendiary, ignited by a fire bomb.

Jurand Wells was booked into Duval County Pre Trial Detention Facility on August 15, 2022, on charges of Arson and Possession of a Fire Bomb. If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in prison.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis
Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).

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