Dexter 18-year-old faces arson charges | News

DEXTER, MO (KFVS)- An 18-year-old from Dexter, Missouri is facing arson charges after police say he admitted to starting a fire on Friday.

Timothy Lynn Keeling, 18, of Dexter was arrested on a warrant for 2nd degree arson.  

The fire happened at 125 West South Main in Dexter.

Detectives say crews were called to the fire shortly before 6:50 Friday morning. A detached garage was in flames.

The fire chief investigated and suspected arson and requested further investigation from police.

Police say a suspect was seen near the time of the fire near the scene. Another witness saw the same person at the corner of Sassafras and Stoddard watching the building burn.

After making several contacts, police found Keeling at a house on East North Main.

After questioning, detectives say Keeling admitted to intentionally setting the building on fire. 

Keeling told police he threw a lit cigar into a cardboard box that was in front of the building and watched as the building burnt.

Detectives say Keeling told them the reason he started the fire is that he was depressed.

Keeling also told police he started a fire at his grandmother's home in St. Louis and at his home in Bernie two different times.

He was being held in the Stoddard County Jail. His bond was set at $50,000 cash.

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