FROM STAFF REPORTS

Two Mooresville men face felony charges following as the result of an arson investigation by the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office and the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office.

Sheriff Darren Campbell announced the arrests of Jason Daniel Luecht, 35, of Perth Road, Mooresville, and Joseph Anthony Smith, 38, of Ricks Lane, Mooresville, in a news release.

The ICSO began investigating after deputies responded to the area of 1700 Perth Road near Mooresville on Tuesday to assist with a possible arson investigation. Firefighters quickly controlled the fire, and the Iredell County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the blaze had been intentionally set, according to the news release.

ICSO detectives interviewed witnesses and neighbors, and identified Luecht as a suspect, Campbell said. Luecht had reportedly left the area with Smith, the sheriff added.

Deputies and detectives responded to Smith’s address off Ricks Lane in an attempt to locate the suspects.

After arriving, they found Smith in the driveway in possession of a firearm, according to the news release. Because Smith is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.

He was immediately placed under arrest for this and for violating the terms of his probation. Upon further investigation, Smith was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine, Campbell said.

During questioning Smith, told deputies he did not know the whereabouts of Luecht, according to the news release.

However, when deputies executed a search warrant of the home Luecht was found inside, along with several firearms and methamphetamine, the sheriff said.

Luecht was arrested, and both suspects were transported to the Iredell County Detention Center.

Detectives conducted interviews with both subjects and learned that Luecht had started a fire outside of his residence on Perth Road the night before and left the property while the fire was still burning, resulting in the fire spreading onto neighboring property, Campbell said.

Luecht was charged with misdemeanor arson, felony possession of methamphetamine and a misdemeanor drug offense.

Smith was charged with felony possession of methamphetamine, felony possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, misdemeanor harboring a fugitive and a misdemeanor drug offense.

Magistrate Nethken issued Luecht a $15,000 bond on the new charges. He was then served with the outstanding probation violation warrants and was issued an additional $30,000 bond.

Magistrate Imes ordered Smith held without bond because he was free on a previous bond at the time of his arrest.