GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A 21-year-old man from West Michigan accused of driving across the country to set fire to a romantic rival’s home maintained his innocence in a jailhouse interview Thursday, alleging he was forced into committing the crime by a shadowy online group.
Harrison Jones, who is currently incarcerated at the Kent County Correctional Facility, spoke to News 8 from his cell, stating that while he did indeed travel from Rockford to Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on February 10, he did not set the fire that caused significant damage to the home and left six people injured. Jones claims to have little recollection of the events surrounding the fire and says he was manipulated by an online group he’s been involved with since he was 17.
“I didn’t burn down the house, but there’s a lot that I can’t talk about because I can’t risk getting other people hurt in the whole process,” Jones explained. “I had to do what they said. I can’t really say a whole lot about it because like I said, I can’t risk them doing anything worse. But they forced me to do some things I didn’t want to do.”
According to authorities, Jones broke into the home in the early hours of February 10, setting the first floor ablaze while six people were asleep inside. The victims narrowly escaped the fire, suffering smoke inhalation and burn injuries. Jones, however, insists that he did not enter the house and cannot recall much about the drive to Pennsylvania. He admits that he may have experienced a few hours of memory loss, claiming that the next thing he remembered was being on his way back to Michigan.
“I was at one of the Wawa gas stations and then I kept driving. The next thing I remember, I was just driving back, out of Pennsylvania,” Jones said.
Jones further elaborated that he was coerced by an anonymous online group he met on the social media platform Omegle. He expressed fear of retaliation from this group, even while in jail.
“They… I mean, I’m afraid and I’m in jail. I’m locked up and I’m still afraid of them,” Jones stated. “I just don’t wish anybody else to get hurt.”
Authorities have speculated that the motive behind the arson may be tied to a romantic rivalry, with one of Jones’ friends reportedly involved in an online relationship with a person who lived in the targeted home. Jones denied these claims, stating that the individuals in the house had no connection to the romantic dispute.
“I feel so bad that I ruined their Valentine’s Day,” Jones said. “They had nothing to do with this. They are completely victims in this scenario, and I feel so bad about it. I feel really, really bad about it.”
Jones is facing multiple charges, including 13 felonies and six misdemeanors, and is awaiting extradition to Pennsylvania to stand trial for his alleged role in the fire. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to examine the details of his claims, including the possible existence of the online group he referenced.
