Two inmates set fire to items within their unit
The inmates continued to act belligerent toward the staff and at approximately 12:45 p.m., two inmates set fire to items within their unit. The fire filled the unit with smoke and corrections deputies were able to put out the flames and safely clear the unit. The fire resulted in minor property damage and no inmates or corrections deputies were injured.
Corrections deputies requested assistance from enforcement deputies with the investigation. Corrections deputies identified several suspects and collected evidence. The city of Vancouver Fire Marshal conducted the cause and origin investigation, and enforcement deputies interviewed several persons.
At the conclusion of the initial investigation, Michael C. Dempsey and David N. Trachuk were charged with one count each of Arson in the First Degree. Dempsey and Trachuk are in the Clark County Jail on unrelated charges. Their arraignment on the new charges will be determined by the Clark County prosecuting attorney.
This is an open investigation and charges for other inmates are potentially forthcoming.
There will be no further comment on the investigation.
Information provided by Clark County Sheriff’s Office.
Also read:
- GoFundMe Spotlight: Vancouver man raising money to buy warm clothing for the homeless
Vancouver resident Cameron Murray is raising money through GoFundMe to purchase jackets and socks for the homeless, inspired by the life and struggles of his late brother Shelby. - Residents encouraged to reduce holiday waste by recycling natural Christmas trees
Clark County residents have multiple options to recycle natural Christmas trees after the holidays, helping reduce landfill waste and create reusable mulch. - County Elections Office closed Dec. 24-25
The Clark County Elections Office will be closed Dec. 24 and Dec. 25 and will reopen Dec. 26 with regular business hours. - Opinion: The unpreferred and unaffordable Interstate Bridge replacement proposal
Rep. John Ley argues that the Interstate Bridge Replacement proposal is unpreferred, unaffordable, and failing to address congestion, cost transparency, and community concerns. - POLL: If project costs continue to rise, what should lawmakers do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan?
This poll asks readers what lawmakers should do with the I-5 Bridge replacement plan as costs rise and key decisions remain unresolved. - Clark County mourns loss of hometown hero and humanitarian Greg Biffle
Clark County is mourning Greg Biffle, the Camas High School graduate and NASCAR champion remembered not only for his racing career but for his humanitarian work and disaster relief efforts. - Opinion: IBR still holding and lying about coming billions in cost overruns
Joe Cortright argues that Interstate Bridge Replacement officials are deliberately delaying the release of an updated cost estimate that he says could push the project toward $10 billion.
