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August 5, 2009

Charges filed on woman

By BOB GIBBINS

Two felonies and a misdemeanor have been filed against a Cookson woman accused of setting a fire in the Tahlequah city jail last month.

Miranda Lynn Smith, 27, was charged Tuesday with first-degree arson, possession of contraband by an inmate, and public drunk. Prosecutors allege the offenses occurred July 7.

Smith was allegedly intoxicated at Grand View Road and Knotty Acres. The contraband count stems from her having a working lighter inside her jail cell. She allegedly used the lighter to set a mattress afire.

An affidavit filed with the case states Smith set the fire approximately 20 minutes after she was placed in an empty cell. After the fire, she was transferred to the Cherokee County Detention Center.

The affidavit states the fire set of the smoke alarm and destroyed city property.

First-degree arson is punishable by a fine of up to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 35 years. The contraband count is punishable by imprisonment for five to 20 years, and the public drunk count is punishable by imprisonment for five to 30 days and/or a fine of $10 to $100.

Her bond has been set at $10,000.

Assistant District Attorney David Pierce is prosecuting the case.

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