Tamassee Man arrested for Arson

On Friday, June 29, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Tamassee man on a charge of arson in the second degree. Booked into the Oconee County Detention Center was 20-year-old Joshua James Emanuel Ernest Martin. A deputy responded to the Salem Fire Department on June 28, in regards to an investigation into a structure fire that occurred at a residence on Lewin Way on June 25. The deputy spoke with Martin at that time concerning the fire, which occurred at the residence where Martin lived. The investigation continued and was turned over to the Criminal Investigations Division of the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. Based upon the evidence obtained during the investigation, it was determined that Martin had set the fire that burned the residence. Martin was given a $20,000 personal recognizance bond was released on June 29.