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Accused High School Arsonist Says He Was ‘Full Of Cocaine’
July 6, 2012
The man accused of setting fire to Escambia High School Tuesday night told sheriff’s dispatchers that he was “full of cocaine” when he called 911 to turn himself in.
Daniel Lance Quattlebaum, 21, was charged with arson, burglary and criminal mischief with property damage in connection with the incident. He remained in the Escambia County Jail Thursday after a judge upped his bond to $135,000. He will be back in court on July 26.
As firefighters were still fighting the blaze and clearing smoke, Quattlebaum called the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and told them that he broke into Escambia High School and set it on fire. He said he would be waiting for deputies at the corner of 57th Avenue and Lillian Highway. He also told the dispatcher that he was “full of cocaine”.
When deputies questioned Quattlebaum, he said that he “had been on cocaine and that he hadn’t slept in three days”, according to an arrest report. He said he threw a rock and busted a window that he then kicked in. He then tried to disable the security cameras by throwing a brick at them, but that failed.
Pictured top: An Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy watches as two Escambia County firefighters pull a ventilation fan down a smoke filled outdoor corridor early Wednesday morning at Escambia County High School. Pictured inset: Smoke billows from Escambia High School shortly after the first firefighters arrive on scene Tuesday night. Pictured below: A ladder truck aerial towers over Escambia High School. NorthEscambia.com photos by Kristi Smith, Bob Solarski/WEAR 3 and reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
10 Responses to “Accused High School Arsonist Says He Was ‘Full Of Cocaine’”
There is this book about a young man that went down this same road , and he gave his life in service to this country as a navy seal. Can’t Remember right now the name of it, But you know what ? You never know.
It is up to him, and what he decides to do, God Bless his journey., might work, might not.
I sure hope this kid gets the help he needs and if he has the will and want to he can overcome his drug use. Its just ashame that he will have to waist his young life behind bars for a crime he knew was wrong. But we all have to pay for our mistakes. May God bless this young soul and lead him down a different path in life.
If I am not mistaken.tampering with security cameras is a felony…
shame on whoever forced him to take that cocaine.
nobody?
Well, then, shame on whoever convinced him his life would be more full from starting cocaine.
and, of course, him for using a mind altering substance to the detriment of others
I’m with you, Tom. If people can’t change, what’s the point? He accepted responsiblity for what he did. Now, if he can get some treatment while behind bars, his chances of “making it” once he gets out will improve 1000%.
For all you naysayers, the research is out there in black and white – treatment and education help reduce recidivism. If we are just going to warehouse them, we might as well just “throw them away”.
I agree Daniel needs help and I hope he gets it. As to the comment he is a punk with a long criminal record, he absoluetly is not. I have known his family for several years and Daniel was never in serious trouble. He worked hard to get his GED and had a steady job and was planning on going to PSC in the fall. No one, especially Daniel, is saying what he did is ok because he was high at the time. He did the right thing however when he manned-up and took responsibility, that took real courage, considering he will be going to prison for years. I hope he gets str8 while locked up.
Soo tired of all of the drug out creeps thinking that it’s “ok” to commit crimes as long as they were “high”. Bet this punk has a long criminal record…Throw him away.
This seems to be a very disturbed young man who is in obvious need of psychogical help and drug rehab. What he did while “full of cocaine” was horrendus and he is very lucky no firefighters were injured or killed as a result of his arson. There still seems to be a shred of decency left in this kid because he called to say he did it and waited for the deputies to come and arrest him. This whole incident seems to be a huge cry for help and I hope he gets it. I also hope he gets several years in state prison; trying to burn down a school is tottaly unforgiveable. I hope he turns his life around in prison and stays away from the drugs and gangs.
Glad you turned yourself in Daniel. Now drop the Cocaine and get help. You are still young and can make something of your life. Get new friends. Find a good church and give your life to the Lord.