Investigators say distinctive tattoos captured on security camera footage helped identify the man accused of setting fire to a “tiny house” under construction off McKinley Road in Perdido.
Ronald Rex Johnson, 59, was arrested Wednesday and charged with arson, according to authorities. He remains in the Baldwin County Jail, where he has been speaking with investigators, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Captain Justin Correa said.
“It sounds like Mr. Johnson made a series of bad decisions,” Correa said. “Apparently he was wondering, at some point, under the influence of something we don’t know exactly what, but some type of intoxicant, and had a torch with him and at some point decided he was going to set fire to this property.”
Investigators said security footage showed the suspect’s face and body covered, but two visible tattoos — a heart and crossbones bearing his name, and a spider web — helped lead them to Johnson. “We all saw how his face was covered, and his body was covered, but those tattoos on his arm really gave him away,” Correa said.
Property owner Dana Ledkins said she and her husband, Michael, had almost finished building and furnishing the tiny house when it was destroyed. “To hurt innocent people that you don’t know is just ridiculous,” Ledkins said. She said she felt relief upon learning of the arrest but also anger. “I felt a little bit of relief but a little bit of anger too, especially when he said he was just walking around the woods at 1:30 in the morning high with a torch in his hand.” Ledkins said she remains anxious about the possibility of Johnson’s release. “I have to tell you I am scared of him getting out.”
Johnson was scheduled to make his first court appearance Friday for a bond hearing.