Merryville man accused of woods arson

A Merryville man is accused of setting fire to a wooded area of Beauregard Parish in July, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Gerald W. Neely, 47, was arrested for simple arson four days after LDAF criminal investigators received about a complaint about several woods fires near Division Street in Merryville, according to an LDAF press release.

“We aggressively pursue arson cases. Not only is arson a threat to property, but it can also endanger lives,” said Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain.

Neely was booked into the Beauregard Parish Detention Center on July 17 and released on $5,000 bond Aug. 5.