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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]
All information is sourced directly from the official, public court database. Case history is organized and curated by The Georgia Gazette staff. The “What this means:” explanations are written by AI and reviewed by our staff before publishing.
Court records are subject to change at the court’s discretion. The Georgia Gazette is not responsible for errors or omissions. Nothing here is legal advice. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Case History:
5/12/26
GRAND JURY RETURNS INDICTMENT — 2 COUNTS FILED AGAINST ISSAC DEMORREO LESTER
What this means: A Houston County grand jury voted to formally charge Issac Demorreo Lester with two felony offenses under Indictment No. 2026-C-0064844, during the April Term 2026 of Houston Superior Court. The indictment was returned as a “True Bill” on May 12, 2026, meaning the grand jury found enough evidence to move the case forward.
Count 1 charges Issac Demorreo Lester with Arson in the First Degree. The grand jury alleges that on or about April 25, 2026, Lester knowingly damaged a dwelling house located on Hodge Road in Perry, Houston County, Georgia, by means of fire, without the owner’s consent.
Count 2 charges Issac Demorreo Lester with Possession of Tools for the Commission of Crime. The grand jury alleges that on the same date, Lester unlawfully had in his possession a lighter and lighter fluid — tools commonly used in the commission of arson — with the intent to use them to commit that crime.
5/14/26
PLEAS / BONDS HEARING HELD
What this means: A pleas and bonds hearing was held in Houston Superior Court on May 14, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the case against Issac Demorreo Lester. This type of hearing is an early court appearance where the court may address the defendant’s plea to the charges and consider whether bond should be set, modified, or denied. The outcome of this hearing is not reflected in the available documents.
7/23/26
PLEAS / BONDS HEARING HELD
What this means: A second pleas and bonds hearing was held in Houston Superior Court on July 23, 2026, at 9:00 AM in the case against Issac Demorreo Lester. The outcome of this hearing is not reflected in the available documents.
7/27/26
DEFENSE FILES MOTION FOR BOND AND DESIGNATION OF DISCOVERY
What this means: On July 27, 2026, defense attorney Carolyn L. Moses of the Office of the Public Defender filed a Motion for Bond and Designation of Discovery in Houston Superior Court on behalf of Issac Demorreo Lester. The filing was accepted by the court clerk’s office the same day.
In the bond portion of the motion, the defense argues that Lester — who was being held in the Houston County jail — does not pose a flight risk or a danger to the community, and asks the court to schedule a bond hearing at the next available calendar date and set bond at a reasonable amount.
In the discovery portion, the defense elected to participate in reciprocal discovery under Georgia law, meaning both sides agree to share evidence with each other as the case moves toward trial.
7/27/26
DEFENSE FILES NOTICES AND DISCOVERY MOTIONS
What this means: Also on July 27, 2026, attorney Carolyn L. Moses filed a separate package of defense notices and motions in Houston Superior Court on behalf of Issac Demorreo Lester. These filings are standard pretrial tools the defense uses to protect the defendant’s rights and ensure access to evidence before trial.
The filings include: a formal opt-in to reciprocal discovery; a motion requiring all court proceedings to be fully recorded; a Brady/Giglio motion asking the prosecution to turn over any evidence that could help the defense or undermine the credibility of witnesses; a Jackson-Denno motion asking the court to review whether any statements made by Lester were given voluntarily; a motion to preserve all physical evidence and allow the defense to independently test it; an objection to waiving the presence of crime lab personnel at trial; a notice to produce specific items on the first day of trial, including contraband, warrants, Miranda forms, photographs, recordings, diagrams, chain of custody records, and lineup information; and an objection to any search of electronic devices or other property seized from Lester.
7/27/26
CAROLYN L. MOSES APPOINTED AS DEFENSE COUNSEL
What this means: On July 27, 2026, Carolyn L. Moses was officially appointed as defense counsel for Issac Demorreo Lester in Houston Superior Court. Moses represents Lester through the Office of the Public Defender. This appointment ensures that Lester has legal representation as the case proceeds through the court system.