Denise Smith

Name:
Smith, Denise Hopson

Date of Booking:
08/01/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
ARSON IN THE 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 02112025 at approximately 0939 hours, [WITNESS #1] was driving east on Gordon Hwy when he observed dark smoke in the area of his mothers residence. [WITNESS #1] stated that he did a U-Turn to head over there when he noticed the smoke was coming from [1700 BLOCK] Belmont Ave. [WITNESS #1] stated that he turned onto Belmont Ave and pulled up near the residence. [WITNESS #1] stated that he observed Denise Smith at the open front door with a box in her hands. [WITNESS #1] stated that Smith looked at him, shut the front door and got into her vehicle. [WITNESS #1] stated that smoke and fire were visible coming out of the residence at that time. [WITNESS #1] stated that Smith got into a Gray, possible Ford Explorer and began to drive away. [WITNESS #1] stated that as Smith passed him they made eye contact and smiled at him. [WITNESS #1] stated that he then called 911.

Inv. Johnson arrived at 1105 hours and met with Augusta Richmond County Fire Department Fire Marshall [REDACTED] who advised that the cause of the fire was Arson due to two starting points. Inv. Johnson entered the residence and observed heavy smoke and fire damage to the residence. Inv. Johnson observed one point of ignition in the master bedroom near the mattress and another point of ignition in another bedroom under the window.

[End of Narrative]