Suspect indicted by feds on conspiracy, arson charges remains at large

Three suspects have been indicted for their alleged roles in a 2015 fire at a Bradenton home that local and federal investigators say was intentionally set.

A federal indictment has been unsealed charging Jodarin Marquis Whitfield, 27, of Sarasota, Herbert Adelphus Pinckney, 39, Avon Park, and Rashica Shaguana Ford, 39, of Sarasota, with conspiracy and arson, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Middle District of Florida.

The three suspects each would face up to 20 years if convicted as charged.

Whitfield remained at large as of Monday evening, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Pinckney and Ford were each booked into the Pinellas County jail on Thursday evening and are being held until trial.

On March 11, 2015, Whitfield, Pinckney and Ford intentionally set fire to a home in the at 800 block of 17th Street East in Bradenton, according to the indictment. Based on the allegations, the three suspects had conspired to set the fire two days before the incident.

According to U.S. Attorney’s Office, there were three adults and five children home when the fire was started.

The case was the result of a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the State Bureau of Fire and Arson Investigations, the Bradenton Police Department and the Manatee and Sarasota sheriff’s offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlton C. Gammons is prosecuting the case.

This story was originally published November 13, 2017 at 6:41 PM with the headline "Suspect indicted by feds on conspiracy, arson charges remains at large."