Courtney Plum

Name:
Plum, Courtney Elaine

Date of Booking:
09/13/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
ARSON FIRST DEGREE

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

[NARRATIVE #1 on 13 September, 2025]

On the day of 9/13/2025 I responded to [300 BLOCK] Yonah Post Road in reference to a domestic, possible arson in progress.

I arrived on scene and spoke with [REDACTED], I informed [REDACTED] the reason I was out with him today. I informed [REDACTED] that we received a call about a person setting the house on fire. [REDACTED] stated he did not know what was going on and he works night shift. [REDACTED] stated he did not see anything take place. I observed a burnt front door mat with burnt articles on top of the door mat, I observed gas next to the front door with a pour spot at the front door indicating that gas was poured in that area. The articles that were burnt were still warm to touch.

I spoke with home owner [VICTIM #1], [VICTIM #1] stated that she was doing some remodels to her bathroom and it has been a frustrating situation for everyone living in the house. [VICTIM #1] stated she went to her sister’s house to give her grandchild a bath and was called by [REDACTED] at my sisters to come home the law was here and there was a fire. [VICTIM #1] stated she does not know what happened she was not at home the time of the incident. (Statement Received)

Courtney Plum was read her Miranda warning and offered to write a statement of the incident. Courtney stated “I was very upset and lit a lighter next to a rug that had gas on it. I immediately put out the fire with no damage to anything but the rug”.

I spoke with the RP [WITNESS #1], [WITNESS #1] stated she heard some yelling and screaming coming from the residence and seen a fire. [WITNESS #1] stated her phone was in the house so she ran into the house to get her phone and called 911. [WITNESS #1] stated she did not see anyone set the fire but seen the fire and heard the yelling.

Courtney Plum was placed under arrest for Arson, Handcuffs were sized and double locked for her comfort and patted down for any offensive weapons. Courtney was transported to the Habersham County Detention Center and turned over without further incident.

A warrant was obtained of O.C.G.A-16-7-60-Arson 1st Degree by Judge Thomas, served and executed.

[End of Narrative]

[NARRATIVE #2 on 13 September, 2025]

Sgt. Phillip Young responded to a domestic in progress that advised that there was a fire set in the front of the home on Yonah Post Rd.

Sgt. Young arrived on scene and assisted in separating parties at the residence. Sgt. Young made contact with a white female, identified as Courtney Plum. Courtney appeared to be nervous as she was shaking, and her eyes were watery. Courtney stated that there was no domestic in progress at this location that her husband [REDACTED] had been sleeping inside the house. Courtney spoke in such a way that nothing had occurred at the residence.

There was poured watered down gasoline on the ground near the front door. The front door mat was soaked with water but maintained a strong odor of gasoline. There was a fuel can with gasoline inside near the front door approximately 5 feet from the front door. The door mat was burnt with a piece of burt fabric on it. The mat had been pulled away from the front door. The fabric and mat still maintained radiating heat much warmer than the environment. It was abundantly clear that the mat had recently been on fire. However, Courtney appeared emotionally distraught and it appeared to Sgt. Young that she displayed signs of defensiveness and deception including, looking away while answering questions body grooming, deflection of conversation, and would not answer directed questions regarding the fire, including “did you start a fire”.

Sgt. Young advised Courtney of her rights (Miranda Warning). Sgt. Young explained that he understood that there was more to what had occurred today. Courtney admitted that her home which is owned by her mother [VICTIM #1] is being renovated. There was and disagreement about the renovation that resulted in a verbal argument between Courtney and her mother [VICTIM #1]. Courtney explained that her mother departed the residence. Courtney admitted that there was a fire that occurred while cooking apples and she brought the pan outside which caused a brief fire.

Sgt. Young explained that the totality of that explanation did not make any sense with an accelerate such as gasoline involved and no pan or food debris. Sgt. Young advised that he was not mad at the incident, but wanted to know the truth. Courtney admitted that after the verbal argument with her mother she got a gas can poured it on the front mat and lit it on fire immediately in front of the house. Courtney explained that this occurred while [REDACTED] was inside the house asleep.

Courtney admitted that she was surprised by the fire that the ignited gasoline caused and used linens to put the fire out. Sgt. Young advised Deputy Dorsey the primary Deputy on scene on Courtney’s statements. Courtney was provided a witness statement. Deputy Dorsey in consideration of the totality of the circumstances placed Courtney under arrest. Sgt. Young transported Courtney to the Habersham County Sheriffs Office. Upon arrival the jail, Sgt. Young had no further contact with Courtney this date.

[End of Narrative]