The Early Police Department and Early and Brownwood Fire Departments responded to a structure fire in the 200 block of Live Oak St. at around 4:20 a.m. Nov. 15, 2017. A mobile home was found to be unoccupied and at the time, had no electricity or utilities hooked up.

The home was considered to be a total loss. Fire Marshal Buddy Preston determined the fire was a result of arson and found the point of origin to be near the laundry room area of the home. Detective Brandon McMillian and other officers continued to investigate the arson over the next few months, interviewing witnesses and suspects. Witnesses informed officers the subjects responsible had been cooking methamphetamines.

According to witnesses, the subjects had also stripped copper wiring from inside the home. The case was presented to the Brown County Grand Jury in April. At that time, an indictment was issued for two suspects. Richard Crawford was arrested May 27 in San Saba County on the charge of arson. An indictment was also issued for a second suspect who has not been located at this time.