Two Hasty structures set on fire

Published 4:00 am Wednesday, July 8, 2026

HASTY — Newton County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on July 4 for two counts of alleged arson.

Nathan Stuart, 45 of Harrison, was charged with two counts of arson and two counts of criminal mischief.

Stuart was still in the Newton County Jail as of press time on Monday. His bond was set at $15,000.

The fires took place in the Hasty area in close proximity to each other along Arkansas Highway 74 East.

“A witness had observed a male at both places, and soon after, saw the smoke,” said Newton County sheriff Glenn Wheeler. “He was able to give a good description of the male, the truck he was driving and a partial tag number.”

Newton County deputies and the Hasty Fire Department were dispatched.

Newton County deputy Devin Mills was the first to arrive on the scene. He was followed by Deputy Donald Richardson.

“Deputy Mills forced entry into the house and utilized two fire extinguishers to put out the first fire,” said the Sheriff. “He then sped to the second structure, forced entry and was to put that fire out.”

The Sheriff said that the Hasty Fire Department arrived and was assisted in gaining entry to the garage with their truck breaching the door. The fire department was able to put water on the damaged portion to cool it and prevent a flare up.

While the witness was speaking to deputies, a truck matching the description drove past the men.

“The witness confirmed that he believed it to be the truck and the person he had observed at the scene,” said Wheeler. “Deputies were able to catch up with the truck within a short distance and make a traffic stop.

“When the deputy approached, he noticed the clothing matched the description given and other items gave him reason to believe the driver was the man the witness had observed,” continued the Sheriff. “The driver then spontaneously mentioned the houses that had been set on fire, but denied any involvement. Items were discovered at the scene that belonged to the driver. Other evidence collected at both scenes confirmed the man had been there.”

The disorderly conduct charges stemmed from actions that Stuart admitted to doing.

“Earlier in the morning, the Newton County Sheriff’s Office had received multiple reports of words and phrases being written in the road and driveways using an unknown white powder substance,” said Wheeler. “Some of the things seemed threatening. While deputies were talking with Stuart, he said he had written the things using lime.”

Sheriff Wheeler thanked the community members for their actions in the matter.

“Thanks to a very observant witness and the fast action of a couple of deputies and fire fighters, two structures were saved and a man was taken into custody, preventing more damage and terror in the community,” stated the Sheriff.