Man accused of setting woman on fire in Sampson County taken into custody

SAMPSON COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — A man accused of setting a woman on fire in Roseboro has been taken into custody, according to the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Jimmy Thornton said Franklin “Frankie” Paul Faircloth, 29, was located Monday in the area of Butler Island Road after a citizen reported seeing someone matching his description near a wooded area behind a residence.

When deputies arrived, they searched the area and found Faircloth behind a home. He was taken into custody without incident.

Faircloth is being held on multiple charges, including first-degree arson, attempted murder, first-degree burglary, assault inflicting serious bodily injury and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

The charges stem from an incident reported around 10 p.m. Saturday at a home on North Pine Street in Roseboro.

Deputies and firefighters responded to a reported structure fire and found a 36-year-old woman suffering from burns to approximately two-thirds of her body.

According to investigators, the victim told deputies that Faircloth forced his way into her home, doused her in gasoline and set her on fire before fleeing on a gray and red bicycle.

Witschger was taken to an undisclosed trauma center for treatment.