4 Kentucky Firefighters Arrested, Charged with Arson

July 23, 2009

Kentucky State Police have arrested four young volunteer firefighters in a series of fires in central Kentucky.

A news release from the KSP identified those charged as 19-year-old Stephen Orberson of Gravel Switch, 22-year-old Melinda Orberson of Perryville, 24-year-old James Tate of Perryville and 21-year-old Frederick Tate of Harrodsburg.

All of them are charged with setting blazes in Boyle and Marion counties. They face charges of second-degree arson, second-degree burglary, first degree wanton endangerment and first degree criminal mischief.

Investigators said the suspects are firefighters with the Gravel Switch and Boyle County fire departments.