Kelly man pleads guilty to setting fires in Bladen and Columbus counties

COLUMBUS COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A Kelly man must pay restitution after pleading guilty to causing more than two dozen fires in Bladen and Columbus counties.

Roy Anthony Potter, 61, pleaded guilty to eight felony counts of intentionally setting fire to grass, brushlands and woodlands with the intent to damage property of another.

Between May 17, 2021, and August 9, 2021, the N.C. Forest Service Law Enforcement Branch investigated 25 wildfires in Bladen and Columbus counties that occurred in the Kelly and Riegelwood communities.

After a three month investigation, Potter was identified as the primary suspect who was throwing incendiary devices from his vehicle’s window while driving along roadways.

Bladen County deputies arrested Potter following a traffic stop. He was illegally in possession of a concealed firearm due to a previous felony conviction.  N.C. Forest Service law enforcement officers seized his vehicle and found several containers and incendiary devices.

Potter was charged with 18 felony counts in Bladen County and another six felony counts in Columbus County.

On Oct. 30, 2023, Potter pleaded guilty to the charges in Bladen County. On Nov. 13, 2023, two weeks later, he pleaded guilty to the charges in Columbus County.

Potter was ordered to pay nearly $9,300 in restitution to the Kelly Volunteer Fire Department in Bladen County and an additional $461 in restitution to the Acme, Delco and Riegelwood Volunteer Fire Departments in Columbus County.

Potter was sentenced to five consecutive suspended sentences with 36 months of supervised probation for his role in the fires in Bladen County and another three consecutive suspended sentences with 36 months of supervised probation for his role in the fires in Columbus County. Each sentence carries a maximum of 17 months jail time.

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