Ex-Bartow Firefighter Accused Of Stealing Guns, Torching Home

CARTERSVILLE, GA — A former Bartow County firefighter is behind bars and facing arson and other charges after authorities accused him of stealing guns from a house in the town of White and then setting it on fire. On Friday, Oct. 11, investigators with the Georgia Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office arrested Bartow County Firefighter Carey Wolfe, 36, of Cartersville, and charged him with first-degree arson, three counts of burglary, aggravated battery and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

Wolfe is accused of setting fire to a house off Old Mill Road in White on the afternoon of Oct. 4, Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King said in a statement.

The blaze completely destroyed the 1,600-square-foot house and spread to the surrounding woods, causing a wildfire, King said.

The home's owner told Bartow County sheriff's deputies that he believed Wolfe broke into the house and stole 17 of his guns before setting it on fire, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

Two of the firearms were pawned at a local shop on Oct. 4, according to the AJC, which reported that Wolfe was fired Monday from his job with the Bartow County Fire Department.

King said the arson investigation was turned over to his office to prevent conflicts of interest at the fire department.

Investigators with King's office are working on the case with the fire department, the sheriff's office and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Other charges against Wolfe include violation of oath by a public officer, arson of woodlands, five counts of theft by receiving and three counts of theft by deception.

If he's convicted of first-degree arson, Wolfe faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. He's being held without bond in the Bartow County Jail.