Gary Hoggatt, 54, was taken to the Benton County Jail and faces a felony arson charge, officials said. His bond amount has not been set.
Authorities said at least three suspicious fires have occurred in Benton County in the past few weeks, the most recent occurring on Snavely Road Monday (Aug. 5). Hoggatt confessed to setting a shack on fire there, according to police.
Police released a description of their "person of interest” in late July, following an arson case involving three houses that all caught fire in the same week near Highfill.
The three homes on Malone and Hendrix Roads were vacant when they caught fire, according to the Highfill Fire Department.
During the investigation, police received a tip about a gold minivan seen leaving the area after five of the seven fires. Because of the vehicle description, investigators were able to track Hoggatt down.
Hoggatt was charged with arson 30 years ago, according to Benton County deputies.