Bradenton man charged with arson. He detailed his crime in texts, to victim, cops say

A 20-year-old Bradenton man is charged with first-degree arson after Sarasota police say he set fire to the victim’s home and then wrote about it in a series of texts to the victim.

Police say the fire was started in mid August and Jaquan Maxwell was taken into custody on Monday on an arrest warrant.

According to the warrant, the fire was set in the victim’s bedroom following a verbal dispute. Police say the bedroom was consumed by the blaze and the rest of the home was rendered uninhabitable due to smoke damage.

The victim was at a friend’s house when the fire was started.

Police say Maxwell sent a series of texts outlining his intentions to burn the victim’s house down.

Police say a number of harassing messages were sent by Maxwell, including, “Matter fact I’m now boutta set (expletive) on fire.”

After receiving those texts, the victim returned home to find the house on fire.

Investigators determined Maxwell set a mattress on fire to start the blaze.

Maxwell was booked into the Sarasota County jail and charged with first-degree arson.