Issac Lester

Name:
Lester, Issac Demorreo

Date of Booking:
04/25/2026

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.]

On 04/25/2026, at 0915 hours I, Deputy Harden, of The Houston County Sheriff’s Office, was dispatched to [300 BLOCK] Hodge Road in reference to a structure fire.

While en-route, dispatch informed all responding units that the fire was started by a black male subject named Isaac, according to the caller. Isaac was in the backyard of the property at [300 BLOCK] Hodge Road.

Upon my arrival, a black male who was identified as Isaac Lester was detained on scene by deputies A. Emmons, D. Windham, S. Lenigar. Prior to deputies detaining Issac Dep. Lenigar said on the radio Isaac was walking away from her.

I spoke with homeowner [VICTIM #1], and she advised the following:

Around 0945 hours she was in the garage with her son Isaac Lester. She asked Isaac to leave her residence and go to his residence, because she wanted him to leave.

Isaac proceeded to the back yard of the property without saying a word. He shortly returned to the garage holding a clear bottle containing a yellow or orange liquid inside.

Isaac lowered the ladder from the ceiling, which led to the attic of the residence. Isacc preceded up the ladder with the bottle and gained entrance to the attic. He remained in the attic for a few minutes before he came down the ladder. Shortly after Isaac came down from the attic, she started to smell smoke, and she noticed Isaac did not have the clear bottle in his hand. Isaac remained silent, as he returned to the back yard of the property.

She proceeded next door, where her daughter [WITNESS #1] was staying. She told [WITNESS #1] to call 911, because Isaac set her house on fire.

I spoke with [WITNESS #1], and she advised the following:

Her mother approached her residence saying call 911, because Isaac set her house on fire. She called 911 for her mother, however she did not witness how the fire started.

She stated Isaac suffers from mental health issues and he suffers from schizophrenia. He has been in and out of multiple mental health clinics, and he never takes his medication.

I spoke with Houston County fire fighter [WITNESS #2] #988, and he advised the following:

Upon his arrival, he saw [VICTIM #1] standing in the driveway with a water hose. She was trying to spray water in the attic where the smoke and fire were. He preceded up the ladder with his issued equipment, so he could put out the flames. After he put the flames out, he noticed a clear bottle with liquid inside of it in the attic, along with a navy-blue hat.

I spoke with [WITNESS #3, and she advised the following:

She was at Friendship Church (Next door to [300 BLOCK] Hodge Rd) preparing for a funeral later in the day. She proceeded to the parking lot of the church, when she noticed smoke coming from the roof of [300 BLOCK] Hodge Road. She believes it was around 0945 when she saw the smoke. She saw Isaac, who she knew, walking from the garage to the back yard of the property.

I preceded to the entry of the garage when I noticed a clear bottle, which was labeled Klean-Heat pure kerosene alternative. The bottle was behind a chair on the ground located in the East side of the garage. A photo of this bottle was taken and showed to [VICTIM #1]. She was asked if this bottle looked like the bottle Isaac took into the attic and [VICTIM #1] said yes. Lt. Daugherty also told me another bottle that looked the same as the Flean-Heat bottle that was found in the garage was found in the attic near where the fire was believed to have started.

I preceded to the inside of the residence, and I noticed a strong chemical odor in the residence. I saw a large hole in the ceiling of the laundry room, which was next to the garage. Upon entering the attic, I noticed the same strong chemical odor and fire damage on the walls of the attic.

I returned to my patrol vehicle to speak with Isaac, while he was in the rear of my patrol vehicle. I read him Miranda and he agreed to speak with me. I asked Isaac what happened, but he kept repeating give my mom his keys and asked if he could tell his mom and sister, he loved them. Isaac was asked if he was in the attic.

Isaac told me he had been in the attic looking for files. Isaac also told me he was in the attic trying to put the fire out. Isaac was asked if he started the fire but he would not answer. Lt. Daugherty told me the Houston County Fire Investigator [REDACTED] told him he did not know what files Issac could have been looking for because there was no such thing in the attic.

Isaac was advised he was under arrest for arson in the 1st degree and criminal damage to property, due to the evidence on scene and witness statements.

Deputy Emmons advised me a half empty bottle of IGA lighter fluid, was discovered in the back yard near the area he was detained and a red lighter was on his person. I took photos of all evidence on scene for the report.

Isaac was taken to The Houston County Detention Center to be booked on his charges. I was advised to collect his clothing for evidence and to store the evidence in a locker at The Sheriff’s Office. After collecting his personal items and all paperwork filled out, Isaac was turned over to the jail.

Isaac’s clothing and the lighter was entered into the evidence room at The Sheriff’s Office in locker #21. While entering his boots into evidence, I noticed a chemical odor coming from his boots.

Photos to be attached
Warrants to be taken

[End of Narrative]